Teacher Degree Apprenticeship: Secondary Education BA (Hons) with QTS

Undergraduate
Apprenticeships

Secondary school students and their teacher collaborating on a history project while analysing old photographs around a classroom table

Achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Secondary Education BA (Hons) with subject specialism with this 38-month, full-time school-based apprenticeship (subject to meeting all requirements).

Location

In schools

Study mode

Work-based learning with online study

Duration

3 years full-time
(plus End Point Assessment)

Course code

See how to apply

Start date

January
April
September

Cost

Growth and Skills Levy funded

Age phases

Secondary

How to apply

Course overview

The Secondary Education Teacher Degree Apprenticeship (TDA) is a new apprenticeship route offered in England that allows you to study for a degree while working in a school setting. This programme leads to a Secondary Education BA (Hons) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), subject to the successful completion of all course and assessment requirements.

Tuition fees are covered through your employer's Growth and Skills Levy (formerly apprenticeship levy) and the opportunity to earn while you learn.

It offers a choice of subject specialisms: English, Mathematics, Physical Education and Modern Foreign Languages – Spanish, and will enable you to teach your subject to GCSE level.

Accreditation and professional recognition

Department for Education

The National Institute of Teaching and Education (NITE) is accredited by the Department for Education (DfE)¹.

Course details

Learn about pedagogy, subject knowledge and professional knowledge. Develop the skills and confidence needed to become an effective secondary teacher in your chosen subject.

The course comprises 12 academic modules of 30 credits each, studied full-time over three years with an EPA of two months. Alongside these, you will complete three practical placement modules each year. See the How you’ll learn section for more details.

Alongside your Introductory Placement practical modules, you will complete four 30-credit learning modules.

Modules

An Introduction to Professional Behaviours – 30 credits

Designed to teach you the foundations of professional behaviours behind teaching and learning. Learn about professionalism in educational settings, covering safeguarding, effective communication, wellbeing, developing professional relationships with colleagues and other stakeholders, and reflective practice.

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

understand and demonstrate the key professional behaviours required as a classroom practitioner
know the ethical and legal responsibilities within your own educational context
highlight and discuss the importance of continuous professional development
understand where your own professional developmental needs are, and take actions to address them.

Compulsory

An Introduction to SEND and Behaviour – 30 credits

Understand the main principles of behaviour management and the creation of positive, inclusive learning environments in schools. Explore key behaviour management theories, strategies, principles, approaches and real-world case studies, learn how to establish and maintain a classroom environment that promotes respect, engagement and effective learning. The module also focuses on understanding the diverse needs of learners and the role of proactive and preventive classroom management.

Compulsory

An Introduction to Subject Knowledge in English/Maths/PE/MFL Spanish – 30 credits

Learn the importance of subject knowledge within your chosen secondary subject discipline. Through critical reflection and structured learning activities, you will explore the key concepts, knowledge structures and ways of thinking that underpin a subject. Evaluate your current subject knowledge, identifying strengths and areas for development in relation to the demands of secondary teaching. Develop a personalised subject knowledge action plan to support your ongoing development as subject specialists throughout the course, and into your teaching practice.

Compulsory

An Introduction to Teaching and Learning – 30 credits

Understand the fundamental concepts of pedagogy and classroom practice. Study current neuroscientific research to gain insights into current thinking about pedagogical practice, as well as studying debunked theories of learning. Begin to apply theory in practice by planning well-structured learning activities and using assessment to adapt lessons, meet individual needs and help all pupils progress.

Compulsory

Introductory Placement 1, 2 and 3 – 0 credits

The practical placement modules will assess your teaching performance within your school placement and are used to formatively assess your progress against the Initial teacher training and early career framework and provide evidence towards recommendation for QTS. Placement modules are assessed via Professional Placement Discussions (PPDs) and online portfolios.

Compulsory

Alongside your Developing Placement practical modules, you will complete four 30-credit learning modules.

Modules

Developing your subject knowledge in English/Maths/PE/MFL Spanish – 30 credits

Understand the knowledge structures and disciplinary thinking that underpin your specialist subject. Explore key curriculum domains within your subject, examining the concepts, knowledge and practices that define these areas of study. Through critical reflection and subject-focused enquiry, deepen your understanding of core curriculum content, identify common misconceptions and consider how knowledge develops across the secondary curriculum. Aim to strengthen your subject expertise in preparation for teaching your specialist subject.

Compulsory

Becoming a Research Informed Practitioner – 30 credits

Learn about professional behaviours with a focus on engaging with research and becoming a research-informed practitioner. Get introduced to educational research design by investigating approaches to educational research in preparation for your level 6 dissertation. Engage in a small-scale research project to apply research design principles in practice. Focus your educational research on the broader role of the teacher and wider school issues, such as fundamental British values, cultural capital, social justice, multiculturalism and inclusive education.

Compulsory

Developing Teaching and Learning in English/Maths/PE/MFL Spanish – 30 credits

Build on the core principles of effective teaching and learning introduced in Year 1 by developing your understanding of subject pedagogical knowledge. Focus on how pedagogical approaches are applied within specific subject disciplines and phases in secondary education. Explore how knowledge is structured within subjects, including key concepts and how disciplinary thinking shapes teaching approaches. Examine strategies for explanation, modelling, questioning, and assessment within your specialist subject area. The module also considers the role of subject-specific literacy, curriculum sequencing and adaptive teaching in supporting pupils to access complex subject content. Deepen your understanding of effective subject teaching and evaluate and refine your own classroom practice.

Compulsory

Developing your Understanding of SEND and Behaviour – 30 credits

Revisit key aspects of how pupils learn to establish an emerging philosophy of teaching and learning. Develop and challenge an understanding of seminal theories of learning, and revisit and challenge newer theories such as Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction and Cognitive Load Theory. Critically examine how these research-based theories support pupil learning and critically reflect on your ability to implement them within your own classroom practice. Through critical self-analysis, challenge your own perspectives and consider the impact of educational research, pedagogical theories and classroom experiences on your professional growth and evolving professional philosophy.

Compulsory

Developing Placement 1, 2 and 3 – 0 credits

Compulsory

Alongside your Extending Placement practical modules, you will complete four 30-credit learning modules.

Modules

Debates in Education – 30 credits

Explore current issues and debates in education, considering and critiquing current influences, principles and practices globally and nationally. Consider how these shape curriculum and pedagogy at a local level in schools and the impact these debates have on your developing personal philosophy.

Compulsory

Enhancing Teaching and Learning in English/Maths/PE/MFL Spanish – 30 credits

Understand both subject pedagogy and pedagogical approaches with a focus on creative, inclusive environments. Engage in subject and age-specific strategies and approaches to adapt teaching to meet the needs of a diverse class across different stages. Key topics and areas include the use of different assessment types, adaptive teaching methods, strategies for responding to diverse learning needs, including SEND and EAL. Revisit pedagogy within a subject context and learn how to adapt instructions and other approaches to reduce learning barriers.

Compulsory

Becoming a Teacher – 30 credits

Explore the broad, multifaceted responsibilities of teachers beyond teaching and learning to gain a deeper understanding of your role as a leader, advocate and mentor within the school community. Focusing on professional responsibilities, examine how teachers contribute to the social, emotional and academic development of pupils, as well as their involvement in creating a positive, inclusive school culture. Key areas of focus in this module include analysing your teacher identity, supporting both your own and your pupils' mental health and wellbeing, engaging in the wider life of the school and looking forward to future careers.

Compulsory

Enhancing Subject Knowledge in English/Maths/PE/MFL Spanish: Research Project – 30 credits

Critically evaluate and develop your practice as a subject specialist in secondary education and engage in a research-based capstone project. Look at current research, curriculum developments and debates within your subject discipline. Through critical reflection on your teaching experiences, explore how subject knowledge, pedagogy and assessment interact to support pupil learning. Conduct a focused professional enquiry related to teaching and learning within your subject area, and consider the support for pupils with SEND within the subject discipline.

Compulsory

Extending Placement 1, 2 and 3 – 0 credits

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

Entry requirements

GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent in maths and English
An A Level or equivalent Level 3 qualification in the chosen subject specialism
A minimum of 104 UCAS points from eligible Level 3 qualifications e.g. A Levels or T Levels. Calculate your UCAS Tariff points
You must have the support of a school willing to employ you as an Unqualified Teacher for the duration of the apprenticeship.

If English is not your first language, you will need to hold an academic IELTS less than three years old, with a score of at least 7 overall with no component less than 6.5, or TOEFL 600. If your qualifications were gained outside the UK, an official comparability statement for non-UK qualifications assessed by UK ENIC must be provided.

If you do not hold GCSE or equivalent qualifications for English, maths or science, we also accept third-party equivalency tests in place of GCSEs. The current approved providers are:

In addition to these academic qualifications, you must also:

demonstrate you hold the right to work and study in the UK and have been resident in the UK/EEA for the last three years. For exceptions to this, please see the latest Apprenticeship funding rules
not already be on a government-funded programme.

Students will be subject to satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure⁵. Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If you hold overseas or non-standard qualifications, we may not be able to assess them before you apply due to the volume of enquiries we receive. Your qualifications will be considered as part of the application process. If they are not equivalent to the standard entry requirements, there may still be options for you.

For more information about this course, entry requirements or your educational setting suitability, speak to our team.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK	Growth and Skills Levy funded (formerly apprenticeship levy)	Not available
EU	Not available	Not available

Levy-paying organisations in England can draw down funds from the Growth and Skills Levy to cover the full course fee. No course fees are paid by either the student or levy-paying schools.

Please speak to your employer to confirm that they can fund you for this apprenticeship provided by Coventry University before making your application. If they have any questions, please ask them to email nite@coventry.ac.uk.

How to apply

UK students

Applications for this course should be made through the DfE Apply portal. Please note down the course code below.

To apply, you must have secured the support of your school to employ you as an unqualified teacher for the duration of the apprenticeship. Therefore, your first step is to speak to your school to see if they are able to support you. If they have any questions, please ask them to contact us.

Apply now

Course codes

Teacher Degree Apprenticeship (Secondary English): TU03QTSZS
Teacher Degree Apprenticeship (Secondary Modern Foreign Languages – Spanish): TU04QTSZS
Teacher Degree Apprenticeship (Secondary Physical Education): TU05QTSZS
Teacher Degree Apprenticeship (Secondary Mathematics): TU06QTSZS

Frequently asked questions

Why should I study this course?

School-based (England)
You will be based in a school setting throughout the course. This school-based approach enables you to apply the knowledge you gain directly to real classroom situations as part of your day-to-day role.

Online
The course is delivered to you online through webinars, podcasts, videos, research and tutorials. Our platforms are interactive and engaging, enabling both independent and peer learning. All course content and materials are available online, enabling you to study and revisit them as required.

Be based anywhere in England
As the course is delivered online, you can be employed or on placement in a school anywhere in England, subject to the school meeting the required selection criteria to ensure it can offer you the right support².

Support
Described by Ofsted as “excellent”, Coventry University’s online tutorial approach provides you with teaching and support, both one-to-one with your university tutor and in a tutor group. Tutorials deepen your understanding of topics, prompting you to think about what works best for you in your teaching. You will also be guided on a day-to-day basis by your in-school mentor, who will be an experienced teacher in your school.

Multiple start dates
You can choose to start the course in September, January or April, according to your preferences.

Employability
Successful completion would lead to a Secondary Education BA (Hons) degree and Qualified Teaching Status (QTS) which could enhance your employability.

How will I learn?

The course is designed to be highly practical to help trainee teachers develop their craft in schools under the supervision of skilled school-based mentors and experienced university tutors.

This is a university course so you can be confident you are following a high-quality evidence-based curriculum built on relevant educational theory. Designed to complement your teaching or placement role in school, our online course consists of live seminars and tutorials alongside asynchronous online learning tasks. Our platforms are interactive and engaging and promote independent and peer learning. All the course content and materials are available online, enabling you to study and revisit them as required.

The course comprises 12 30-credit academic modules studied full-time over three years followed by a two-month EPA. Alongside this, you will complete three Practical Placement Modules each year.

You will be in school four days a week, during which you will complete the Practical Teaching Practice modules with support from an experienced school-based mentor. In your first year, your learning will focus on professional behaviours, classroom support strategies and understanding how pupils learn. Learning activities will include observations of experienced staff, teaching small groups or parts of lessons and team-teaching, dependent on experience. As you work through the programme and your skills and confidence develop, you will take on more responsibility for teaching. During your final year, you will reach 80% of a qualified teacher’s timetable to meet the requirements for QTS. This course is designed to help you prepare for your first years as an Early Career Teacher (ECT).

All applicants must find their own schools willing to support them for the full duration of the course during the application process. NITE do not source placement schools for any employed course.

Applicants must secure the support of their school and a contract of employment as an Unqualified Teacher covering the duration of the course before enrolment. Classroom hours for the practical placement modules must be agreed by the school. If employment ends unexpectedly, apprentices will be responsible for sourcing an alternative placement and that while we can offer guidance, continuation of the course will depend on a suitable placement being in place.

In your second year, you will complete a second school placement of a minimum of 6 weeks in a contrasting school to broaden your experience. Your second school placement school must offer a contrast to your employing school in some significant way e.g. large/small, faith/non-faith, single sex/mixed, selective/comprehensive. This is to provide experience of a contrasting setting, which is a DfE requirement for trainees to be recommended for QTS.

One fixed day per week during term time will be protected for your university learning. You will complete four online learning modules per year, each 50-60 hours made up of approximately 60% live teaching through seminars and tutorials and 40% self-study. During your studies, you will have access to an experienced team, including university mentors, subject and phase specialist tutors, who will support your studies through feedback and dedicated live tutorials. You will require access to a suitable device, a laptop or PC, throughout the course, and will also be expected to be sufficiently competent with IT to learn and use our online platforms.

This combined approach to training will provide you with teaching by our highly experienced staff, as well as enabling vital peer support and a valuable collaborative learning environment. You will be supported to learn from each other, share experiences and reflect away from the school environment.

There are no elements of the course that require you to travel to Coventry or other venues.

How will I be assessed?

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods, which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

written assignments
presentations
oral presentations
observations.

The practical modules will be assessed on the evidence you collect, collate and upload to an electronic portfolio.

You will be visited by a Visiting Assessor (VA) at least four times during the apprenticeship. They will observe you teaching and meet with you and your school-based mentor to discuss and oversee the assessment of your overall progress. At the end of the course, a final assessment is made on whether you meet the Teachers’ Standards.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

What career opportunities could I have after completing the course?

This course is a formal Initial Teacher Training qualification for trainee teachers in England. On completion you will be recommended for QTS and able to apply for your first teaching role.

To complete your transition into teaching after receiving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), you must complete a mandatory two-year induction as an Early Career Teacher (ECT). Once awarded QTS is valid for life. The qualification accredits the teacher to teach in state-maintained schools in England. Many independent schools now also prefer their teachers to hold this award.

Teaching: Secondary teaching in your subject, including special educational needs (SEN) teaching.
School Management: Year leader, subject leader, SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), deputy headteacher, headteacher.
Education Outreach Coordinator: Working with communities to promote and support educational initiatives.
Curriculum Development: Creating and improving educational materials and programmes.
Educational Consultant: Providing expertise and guidance to schools, teachers, or parents on various educational matters.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

Will you find me employment so I can complete this course?

Can I check my qualifications for the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship before I apply?

Unfortunately, we haven’t got capacity to check all qualifications in advance of applications due to the high numbers of people who have been getting in touch. They will be checked as part of the application process. If for any reason your qualifications aren’t equivalent to 104 UCAS points, there may still be options for you.

Are there opportunities for further study?

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, National Institute of Teaching and Education (NITE) and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

⁵Health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure

Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks, you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is, therefore, unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the University. A copy of the current 2026/2027 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the University will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the University.

Teacher Degree Apprenticeship: Secondary Education BA (Hons) with QTS

Location

Study mode

Duration

Course code

Start date

Cost

Age phases

Course overview

Accreditation and professional recognition

Department for Education

Course details

Modules

Modules

Modules

Entry requirements

Other qualifications and experience

Fees and funding

How to apply

Course codes

Frequently asked questions

¹Accreditations

²UK and international opportunities

³Tuition fees

⁴Facilities

⁵Health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure

Student Contract

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Teacher Degree Apprenticeship: Secondary Education BA (Hons) with QTS

Course features

Location

Study mode

Duration

Course code

Start date

Cost

Age phases

Course overview

Accreditation and professional recognition

Department for Education

Course details

Modules

Modules

Modules

Entry requirements

Other qualifications and experience

Fees and funding

How to apply

Frequently asked questions

You may also like

Secondary Education BA (Hons) with QTS

Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship with Foundation Degree in Professional Practice

Foundation Degree in Professional Practice for Teaching Assistants