Basic requirements
The subjects you study as a secondary student and as an undergraduate make a big difference to your opportunities in the long term. Getting good basic qualifications is the first step towards becoming a teacher.
You need to have these basic requirements to begin your teacher training and gain qualified teacher status (QTS). When you have achieved QTS, you will be able to teach at state-maintained schools in England and Wales.
| Qualifications |
Grades needed |
| A GCSE (or recognised equivalent) in English |
Grade C or above |
| A GCSE (or recognised equivalent) in mathematics |
Grade C or above |
| A GCSE (or recognised equivalent) in a science subject if you want to teach primary or key stages 2/3 |
Grade C or above |
|
A UK degree (or equivalent qualification) if you want to take a postgraduate teacher training course
|
Pass |
You do not need a degree to begin undergraduate teacher training, such as a bachelor of education (BEd), bachelor of arts (BA) or science (BSc) with QTS. Your training provider will have its own requirements.
Equivalent qualifications
If you have qualifications from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) will be able to advise you on whether your qualifications are equivalent to the minimum requirements set out above, and they may also provide certification where appropriate.
