Teacher Training

To enrol on a teacher training course, the standard requirements are:

• An undergraduate degree (or equivalent).
• At least a GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent in English and maths. If you want to teach at a primary school, you will also need a GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent in a science subject.
• Declaration of any previous convictions and undergone the criminal records check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Please check the individual course pages above to see the specific entry requirements of each of our courses.

All our ITT courses are usually studied over an academic year, but can also be completed in 2 years to suit your individual circumstances – for example, if you work part-time or simply wish to take more time to complete the course. Whenever and wherever you choose to study, our aim is to help you become not just a teacher but a great teacher.

We offer multiple start dates throughout the year, so you can begin our studies at the right time for you.

For our PGCE courses, you can start in September, January and April.

For our Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship, you can begin the course in July, November or February. These flexible start dates allow for an introductory element of the course to be studied prior to the start of a new school term.

A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is the academic qualification for a formal teacher training course. Our PGCE carries 60 Master’s level credits, and has a number of variants: a PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for teaching in schools in England, an International PGCE for teaching in schools outside the UK and an Independent PGCE for teaching in independent schools in the UK.

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is the accreditation required to teach in state-maintained schools in England. Many independent schools also now require their teachers to hold this award. Whilst QTS is a separate award to a PGCE, it is interwoven throughout the PGCE with QTS course and therefore does not require more time to achieve. To gain QTS, trainees are required to demonstrate that they meet all the requirements of the Teachers’ Standards by the end of the course. Our PGCE with QTS provides a holistic training experience by combining the academic theory of teaching with its practical application in schools.

It depends! What do you want to achieve? Did we hear you say, “the very best”? Well, you’re in the right place.

Most commonly, those wanting to become a qualified teacher take on the PGCE with QTS course. This course provides full coverage of both the pedagogical and theoretical elements of teaching, with great support from mentors and staff. Set up in a modular format, you will cover topics that include behaviour management, curriculum delivery, practical teaching practice, and so much more.

Alternatively, you may be looking to take smaller steps, and so you may be looking to start with just a QTS qualification. In this scenario our Assessment-Only Route to QTS is a great options for experienced teachers who are looking to quickly get their qualified teacher status. With this course, you can obtain this qualification within 12 weeks!

Our final option is for those who may already have their QTS and for those who want an internationally recognised qualification in teaching: our PGCE only courses. Here at NITE, we offer two kinds of PGCE only courses, one designed to prepare trainees for teaching in Independent Schools and another designed to prepare trainees for teaching in International Schools. Both our PGCE only courses will give you the same qualification, however, with slight variations in the content and scenarios created, you will gain key skills for your relevant field.

We also offer a free taster course to help you decide which PGCE is right for you. It’s also worth pointing out here that all courses offered here at NITE are Apprenticeship approved, meaning you can exercise your school’s Apprenticeship Levy and have the cost of your course covered by the Government’s scheme. NITE’s courses are pretty flexible too, with multiple start dates part-time options, and study-where-you-live benefits, we seek ways to make getting qualified easy and accessible.

If you are applying for the PGCE with QTS via the full-time or part-time student route, you can go to the gov.uk site to find out about the courses we offer. Select ‘By school, university or other training provider’ and type in the C85. This will bring up a list of the courses we offer and details how to apply for the one you want. Alternatively, if you already know the course you can go directly to Apply for teacher training.

If you are already employed in a school, then you can apply for an employed route via the Coventry University website. Please use the appropriate link below for your course selecting ‘Apply for this course’ and then ‘Register’ on the ‘Welcome to the Coventry University Application Portal’ page. Please note our teacher training courses are not on the ‘new applicant portal’.

PGCE with QTS School Recommendation (Employed) Route

PGCE for Independent Schools

PGCE for International Schools

For the Teaching Apprenticeship, please ask your school to put you forward for the course by emailing us.