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Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is the qualification required by those wishing to teach in England and Wales state schools.
A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is an additional academic qualification, including QTS.
EYTS is Early Years Teacher Status, which you gain when undertaking a Postgraduate Certificate in Early Years Practice with EYTS.
Postgraduate Initial Teacher Education (ITE) is ideal for recent graduates and those considering a career change. The one-year course blends academic and practical learning through a combination of school or setting placements and university-based sessions.
This new, salaried route to Qualified Teacher Status provides an employer levy-funded, salaried route into primary or secondary school teaching, and is free of charge for apprentices, allowing graduates to earn while they learn on the job. The 10-month course runs from September 2025 through to the following June, with a minimum of 20% off-the-job training throughout the year. This means that apprentices get the best of outstanding university-led training alongside being embedded in a school setting.
Candidates can apply to train for a range of secondary subjects, or follow a general primary, 3-7, or a special educational needs (SEND) pathway for our primary programme.
In order to be accepted onto the programme, candidates will need to be employed in a school as an unqualified teacher.
More information will be available on our website shortly. In the meantime, please complete the Expression of Interest form to ensure that we can keep you informed.
At the Institute of Education, we are determined to ensure that children in schools see themselves represented in their teachers. We want to make this happen and play our part in re-dressing the imbalance in the teaching profession. This means we welcome and encourage applications from candidates from under-represented backgrounds.
"Transforming lives through education runs as a golden thread through all Initial Teacher Education programmes at the University of Reading."
- Ofsted Inspection Report, May 2024
We offer two Early Years options for those wanting to train/qualify to work with babies and young children.
We offer a range of postgraduate primary courses with different pathways and subject specialisms.
Are you already an experienced teacher?
Do you wish to gain QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) or EYTS (Early Years Teacher Status)? Without additional training, the Assessment Only route could be your perfect choice.
If you have A levels or equivalent qualifications, you can train with us to become a primary teacher and gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Alternatively, study BA Education Studies or BA Children’s Development and Learning and then progress to a postgraduate teaching qualification for early years or primary.
Learn in an exciting environment where you'll be challenged and supported to thrive and grow as an individual.
Come to a Postgraduate Initial Teacher Education event. These events cover all routes into teaching for Early Years, Primary and Secondary Postgraduate programmes.
