Frequently asked questions

Before you apply for a teacher training place with United Teaching, check that you meet our qualifications and personal qualities criteria. Once you've chosen your subject and training route, you have two options for applying:

1. Apply via DfE (preferred): Head to DfE's application form (approx. 30 minutes completion time)
2. Apply directly on our website: This option allows you to complete your application on our website. If you receive an offer through this route, you'll need to complete a formal application on the DfE website later.

• A degree (2:2 or above) in or related to the subject you want to teach
• GCSEs at Grade C+ (or equivalent) in English and maths (plus science for Primary trainees)
• A minimum of BCC at A Level, including a B in the subject you wish to teach

Requirements differ for international candidates - see our guide for international trainees for more information.

If you haven’t achieved the necessary grades in GCSE maths or English, you’ll need to take an equivalency test to meet the entry requirements. We recommend using A Star Equivalency, Birmingham City University, or Equivalency Testing.

Yes! You can specify your preferred schools and regions in your application. As a national teacher training provider with over 100 schools across the country, you can choose a location that suits you. The earlier you apply, the higher the chances of securing your preferred choice.

We also work with schools outside of the United Learning network, so you have the option to source your own placement school and come to us to train. Let us know if you have a suggested school in your application.

Absolutely! Many trainees, whether recent graduates or career changers, join us without prior experience. While helpful, it's not mandatory. If you are keen to have an insight into what life is like in schools before you apply, you could complete some work experience in teaching.

Transferable skills such as communication and problem-solving, even if gained through non-school experience, are valuable too.

Yes, we offer salaried training for candidates with strong applications. If you have relevant experience, industry expertise, or want to teach a high-demand subject such as maths, science, or geography, you will have a higher chance of being considered for the salaried programme.

Salaried places are offered at the discretion of the admissions team and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

On our salaried programme, you will earn an unqualified teacher's salary in your training year. 

Both routes blend theory and practical experience.

School-based teacher training means you are based in a school from day one, gaining practical classroom experience alongside academic study. Traditional teacher training involves spending most of your time in university attending lectures and seminars, with shorter school placements.

See more about teacher training in a school vs university.

Yes, teaching is a rewarding career path which welcomes trainees from all different ages and walks of life. Many trainees come from fields such as engineering, finance, law, and marketing, bringing diverse industry experience and perspectives to the classroom. 

Your life experiences will be highly valued by pupils, as they bring unique perspectives that broaden their understanding of the world.

Yes! All trainees on our programme achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), the PGCE is optional. To earn your QTS, you’ll be assessed through lesson observations and your ability to meet the Teacher’s Standards. While a PGCE isn’t mandatory, it offers a deeper academic understanding and is essential if you want to teach abroad.

Most of our trainees choose to pursue both a QTS and a PGCE. The PGCE component is delivered by Bath Spa University, with training sessions that are primarily remote and smoothly integrated into your school-based teacher training.

Completing a PGCE is optional. If you already have a PGCE, and only need QTS, you can opt for our QTS-only route.

The majority of our trainees choose to complete both QTS and a PGCE. 

QTS-only is £7,250, and QTS plus PGCE is £9,000. If you train on our salaried programme, these fees are fully funded.

Yes, international candidates are welcome to apply. See our guidance for international applicants for more details on qualifications and visa requirements.

1. Before you apply, make sure that your chosen route and subject are available by finding the relevant course code and checking it in DfE Apply.
2. Then, complete your application directly through DfE Apply, and we will review it within a few days. If your application meets our requirements, you will be invited to the next stage.
3. The first stage of assessment involves an interview and a teaching task (mock lesson) with two members of the United Teaching team.
   
4. After the assessment, we’ll contact you as soon as possible with the outcome. If we make you an offer, you’ll need to provide two references. We will also conduct identity and DBS checks.
5. We aim to place you in your first-choice school. If this isn't possible, we’ll work with you to find a suitable alternative. If you're flexible on location, let us know - your placement could be an opportunity to live in and explore a new area.

Need help with your application? Contact us and a member of our team will be happy to help.

Maybe! Check our map of schools to find out.

After you’ve completed the programme, you will receive Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a PGCE (if you opted for it).

Many trainees choose to stay and teach in their host school, while others secure jobs in different schools across the country. You will then transition into an Early Career Teacher (ECT) role, a two-year period where you will receive ongoing support to enhance your teaching practice. 

We aim to retain as many of our trainees as possible, and many are offered jobs in their host schools or elsewhere within United Learning. While a job isn’t guaranteed, the demand for teachers in the UK is strong, especially in shortage subjects such as maths, science, and languages.

Your training year prepares you to be highly employable, and our network of schools increases your chances of securing a position. 

Yes, completing our teacher training programme gives you both QTS and a PGCE. QTS qualifies you to teach in England, while the PGCE is the qualification most widely recognised internationally.

Many of our graduates have gone on to teach in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. If you plan to work overseas, check the local requirements, as recognition can vary by country. 

As a newly qualified teacher (Early Career Teacher), your salary will follow the national teacher pay scales.

In England, starting salaries for qualified teachers are currently around £31,000–£38,000, depending on location, with higher pay in London. Salaries then increase with experience and responsibility, and there are opportunities for promotion into leadership roles. 

Independent schools may not follow the national pay scale. United Learning schools pay up to 5% above the national pay scale.