Teaching and Education career guide

This career guide is designed to help University of Portsmouth students and recent graduates explore careers in teaching and education. Whether you're interested in working with young children, school-aged learners, college students or university students, this guide outlines the different teaching pathways, qualification routes, experience opportunities and sources of support available.

Which Teaching Route is Right for Me?

The first step is identifying the age group and setting you would like to teach in. Follow the links below to learn more about the specific qualifications and entry routes associated with each route of teaching.

How to become a teacher

Step 1: Check your qualifications

To train to teach, you’ll need to have GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths (and science if you want to teach primary).

You also need a bachelor's degree in any subject to teach primary and secondary – if you have one or an equivalent qualification, you can do postgraduate teacher training.

If you do not have a degree, you can do undergraduate teacher training to get a bachelor's degree alongside qualified teacher status (QTS). Or you may be eligible to do a teacher degree apprenticeship (TDA).

Non-UK Citizens

If you have qualifications from outside the UK, you will need to show that they meet the standards set for teacher training in England. You can get help comparing English and international qualifications.

Find out more about the qualifications you need to teach

Step 2: Understand funding

You can apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans, even if you already have a student loan.

If you're interested in teaching certain subjects, you might be able to get a tax-free bursary or scholarship to support you while you're training. This money does not have to be paid back.

Find out how to fund your training

Step 4: Apply for teacher training

You can usually start applying for postgraduate training in October and undergraduate training in May, the calendar year before your course starts.

You can apply throughout the year, but some courses fill up quickly.

Get tips on making a great application, including finding the right references and writing a personal statement.

When you get offered a place on a course, your provider will arrange a background and criminal records check. This is known as a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. You must pass these checks to teach students under 18.

What to expect from Teacher Training

All postgraduate training involves classroom placements in at least 2 schools. Your training will also include some theoretical learning, which might be in a different location to your placements.

Most teacher training courses start in September, with a small number of courses starting on other dates throughout the year.

Full-time postgraduate courses usually take 9 months, and part-time courses take 18 to 24 months. Undergraduate courses usually take 4 years.

Alternative Careers in Education

If you are interested in education but not classroom teaching, there are many related careers to explore.

Examples include:

• Careers Adviser
• Educational Psychologist
• Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)
• Training and Development Officer
• Community Education Officer

Explore role profiles on the Prospects website to learn more.