Teacher training FAQs

Q: What is a PGCE?
Q: How long does a PGCE course take?
Q: Are there other postgraduate teacher training routes?
Q: Will I receive funding while I train?
Q: Why do subject knowledge enhancement courses only cover certain subjects?
Q: Are there any subject knowledge enhancement courses available in Wales?
Q: What happens if I want to change ITT providers to one outside the enhancement region while I'm on an enhancement course?
Q: As a primary teacher who wants to convert to secondary, am I eligible for enhancement courses?
Q: If I am already qualified to teach in another country outside the EEA. Do I need to do a subject knowledge enhancement course to teach in England and Wales?
Q: What is a PGCE?
A: A PGCE is a postgraduate certificate in education, which you can take at any time after completing your first degree.
Q: How long does a PGCE course take?
A: A full-time PGCE course usually takes one year. Alternatively, you can take a flexible PGCE, which allows you to train over a period that suits you. A limited number of part-time courses are also available (see www.gttr.ac.uk).
Q: Are there other postgraduate teacher training routes?
A: Yes. In England you can train via a school-based initial teacher training (SCITT) programme (see www.teach.gov.uk/scitt). You can also train through the graduate teacher programme (GTP) while working as an unqualified teacher (see www.tda.gov.uk/ebr).
Q: Will I receive funding while I train?
A:

Trainees on postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) and school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) programmes in England who are classed as home or European Union (EU) trainees are eligible to receive a tax-free training bursary. Similar bursaries are available in Wales.

Funding arrangements from 1 August 2010

For trainees starting secondary postgraduate ITT courses in biology, combined/general science, other sciences, modern languages, music or religious education after 1 August 2010, the bursary will be reduced from £9,000 to £6,000. English and Geography will stay at £6,000.

For trainees starting secondary postgraduate ITT courses in art and design, business studies, dance, drama, history, physical education, and all other secondary non-priority ITT courses after 1 August 2010, the bursary will be reduced from £6,000 to £4,000.

There are no changes to the golden hello arrangements for eligible postgraduate trainee teachers starting eligible postgraduate ITT courses between 1 August 2010 and 31 July 2011 inclusive.

Q: Why do subject knowledge enhancement courses only cover certain subjects?
A: In England, subject knowledge enhancement courses have been introduced specifically to help increase the pool of individuals eligible to train as teachers in certain 'priority' subjects: namely chemistry, mathematics and physics.
Q: Are there any subject knowledge enhancement courses available in Wales?
A: The Swansea School of Education offers a two-week full-time mathematics subject knowledge enhancement course. Operating during the summer months, this course is available to people wishing to follow a PGCE in mathematics at a Welsh Initial Teacher Training provider, but who do not hold a mathematics degree. You can find further details at www.sihe.ac.uk
Q: What happens if I want to change ITT providers to one outside the enhancement region while I'm on an enhancement course?
A: These courses are intended as a service to ITT providers in the specific enhancement region. If you have been offered a conditional place by an ITT provider in the region it is expected that you will take up your ITT place at that provider.

If you wish to transfer to a different ITT provider you will need to apply to that provider. They will then need to assess your level of understanding in the subject before accepting you onto their ITT course.
Q: As a primary teacher who wants to convert to secondary, am I eligible for enhancement courses?
A: No, enhancement courses are intended only for those wishing to train as a teacher and gain QTS.
Q: If I am already qualified to teach in another country outside the EEA. Do I need to do a subject knowledge enhancement course to teach in England and Wales?
A: Possibly. In England, it could be appropriate for you to join an overseas trained teacher programme (OTTP), in which case you won't need to complete an enhancement course.

In Wales, as an overseas trained teacher from outside the EEA, you might need to undertake a period of teacher training under the employment-based scheme.