Secondary School Teacher

You could do a further education (FE) teaching qualification, although this is not essential.

Qualifications you could do include:

• Certificate in Education (Cert Ed)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Post Compulsory Education and Training
• Postgraduate Certificate in Further Education and Training

To teach an academic qualification like an A level, you'll usually need a degree in the subject.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• postgraduate teacher training courses
• university courses and entry requirements

You could do a teaching qualification at college.

Qualifications include:

• Certificate in Education (Cert Ed)
• Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training
• Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training with a specialist pathway for teaching literacy, numeracy, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), or teaching disabled learners

Employers will also expect you to have experience or a qualification in the subject you want to teach.

Entry requirements

You'll need:

• GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
• 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You could do a Learning and Skills Teacher Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

You'll usually need:

• a qualification in the subject you want to teach
• up to date experience in your industry
• ability in English, maths and IT

More Information

• guide to apprenticeships

You could apply directly to work as a further education teacher if you have knowledge of your subject and experience in your industry. Some employers may want you to have a level 3 qualification in your industry.

You can then do a teaching qualification on the job. Some employers might help fund your training.

You'll also need level 2 maths and English skills. If you do not have these qualifications, the training provider might support you with this as part of your training.

It will be useful to get experience through paid work or volunteering at a school or college.

You can get help with finding:

• school work experience
• college work experience
• volunteering opportunities in your area

You can apply directly to work in further education if you have relevant experience, knowledge and skills in a technical or academic subject.

You can also apply directly to teach some subjects in further education if you have taught in a school and hold qualified teacher status (QTS).

Career tips

You might be able to become a further education teacher without a teaching qualification. Your employer might choose what teaching qualification you'll need once you've started.

You can also get qualified teacher learning and skills status while you work if you have a level 5 teaching qualification or above.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a further education teacher from Teach in Further Education.