What Qualifications Do You Need To Be a Teacher?

Working out exactly what qualifications you need to become a teacher can feel like a lot to untangle at first, especially if some of your GCSEs or A-levels are a while ago now. Breaking it down step by step makes the whole thing far more manageable.

Step 1: Get Informed

Start by getting a clear picture of what your chosen teacher training route actually requires. You will need a degree, a GCSE grade 4 or above (or an accepted equivalent) in English and maths, and science too if you are heading towards primary teaching. It is worth double checking with your specific university or training provider, since requirements can vary slightly between courses.

Step 2: Work Out What You Are Missing

Once you know what is required, check it against what you already have. If A-levels are the gap, it is worth looking at A-levels for teaching, or if a full A-level route feels like more than you need, the alernatives to A-Levels for teaching are well worth considering too, such as an Access to HE diploma.

Step 3: Look Into the Access to HE Diploma

This is often the most practical route for adults without traditional A-levels. It is assessed entirely through coursework and written assignments rather than exams, and can typically be completed in around six months, which is a fair bit quicker than most people expect. Universities generally treat it as equivalent to A-levels for entry onto education degrees.

At Courses and Exams, we recommend comparing a few different routes before committing, since the right one often depends on how quickly you want to move forward and how much flexibility you need.

Step 4: Sort Out Any Missing GCSEs

If GCSE maths or English is the gap instead, it is worth looking into how to find a GCSE resit that fits around your schedule, since sittings run every November and every summer. GCSE equivalency tests are another option if you would rather avoid resitting the original exam.

Step 5: Check Subject-Specific Requirements

If you already know which subject you would like to teach, it is worth checking the specific teaching A level requirements for that subject, as these can differ depending on the course and university.

Step 6: Compare Your Options and Apply

Before settling on a route, it can help to look at the range of qualifications for aspiring teachers available, so you can weigh up which path suits you best. Once your entry qualifications are sorted, the Gov.uk guide for teaching sets out the different training routes, funding, and bursary information in detail, and is a genuinely useful place to check before applying.

Final Thoughts

Whatever qualifications you are missing right now, it is very rarely a dead end, just a checklist to work through one step at a time. It is also worth reviewing the current qualifications for teaching guidance directly, since requirements are reviewed and can shift slightly from year to year.

Written by

Courses and Exams Team

We help thousands of students each year with revision, courses and online exams.