Home Become a teacherWhat you can teachTrain to teach Science

School-Centred Initial Teacher Training Programme (SCITT)

Qualify as a teacher in just one year with United Teaching. Rated 'Exceptional' in all areas by Ofsted, our programme leads to PGCE and QTS, helping you start a rewarding teaching career with a salary from £34,000.

Train to teach science

You study science because you are passionate about understanding how the world works. Teaching gives you the chance to pass that curiosity on – and to help your pupils discover that science is not just a subject, but a way of thinking.

As a science teacher, you help young people ask questions, test ideas and make sense of evidence. Whether your specialism is biology, chemistry or physics, you will be helping to build the next generation of problem-solvers, researchers and innovators. Every day, you will be instilling the skills your pupils will need to understand and navigate a rapidly developing world.

Science is a crucial subject for young people, and as such there is significant financial support available for science teacher trainees. Strong candidates can earn a salary from day one, or access tax-free bursaries or scholarships.

Take the next step if...

  • You hold or are studying for a science (or closely-related) degree, and you have A Level (or equivalent) at grade B or above in your chosen science.
  • You want a fulfilling career that combines intellectual challenge with real scope to change lives for the better.
  • You enjoy working as part of a team, with clear pathways for career progression.
Apply now

Key details

Duration:
September 2027 - July 2028

Location:
Local to you (England-wide)

Qualification awarded:

  • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
  • PGCE (optional)

Routes available:

  • Salaried
  • Fee-paying
    • Course fees:
      • £7,790 (QTS only)
      • £9,790 (QTS + PGCE)
    • Financial support:
      • DfE bursaries 
      • Scholarships
      • Student finance

What are the benefits of the science teacher training programme?

With our one-year programme, you will be based in a school from the beginning.

Gain your PGCE and QTS: You will achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), a professional accreditation that demonstrates you have the skills to teach. You can also complete your Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), an academic qualification that shows your understanding of theory and teaching strategies.

Build classroom-ready confidence: Alongside academic learning, you will be fully immersed in the life of the school. As well as teaching classes, you will have the opportunity to support co-curricular and pastoral activities. By the end of your first year, you will feel confident not only in the principles of teaching, but in working with pupils and managing a class day-to-day.

Learn from subject specialists: Our programme is designed by expert science teachers and shaped by the latest educational research. Each week, you will learn from experienced science specialists, covering practical work, lesson planning, curriculum design, and the subject-specific approaches needed to help pupils understand and engage with scientific concepts across biology, chemistry and physics.

Benefit from exceptional personal support: You will be supported by both a subject mentor and a professional mentor. Your subject mentor will be an experienced and expert science practitioner, and you will spend time observing them teach and co-planning lessons together. They will guide you through planning, observations, practical lessons and behaviour strategies, giving you tailored feedback to support your development. Alongside this, your wider support network will help you navigate challenges and celebrate your progress throughout the year.

Opportunities to be paid from day one, and we will cover your tuition fees: There are opportunities to be on the salaried route, where you will receive a salary as you take on a higher teaching load. Your training costs are fully covered, and there are a range of funding options available to support you.

Why choose SCITT?
How you'll learn
Requirements and eligibility
What will I do each day as a teacher?
Where you can train
How we'll support you
Dedicated mentor support
What will you study
Weekly training
Assessment
PGCE
What is the interview process?
What you will do on school placements
Why choose SCITT?

Why choose SCITT?

From day one, our training combines classroom experience with one-to-one support from an experienced mentor. Weekly training sessions help you develop the theory behind effective teaching, while your school placement gives you the opportunity to put that learning into practice straight away.

You'll become part of a school staff team from the start, building the skills, confidence and experience needed to succeed in the classroom.

Eligible applicants can also choose our salaried route, earning a salary and paying no course fees while training to teach. We also offer both QTS only and QTS with PGCE pathways, giving you the flexibility to choose the route that best suits your career goals and circumstances.

How you'll learn

How you'll learn

From your very first day, you are welcomed as part of the staff team. You will teach lessons, support classes, and get involved in school life, from duties to extracurricular activities. Weekly mentoring helps you build confidence step by step.

Over the year, you will also complete focused Intensive Training and Practice activities (ITAP), designed to sharpen specific classroom skills. Your three-week placement in another school will broaden your perspective and prepare you to teach in a variety of contexts.

You will have three layers of support:

  • A professional mentor who oversees your progress
  • A subject mentor who meets you weekly and observes your lessons
  • A lead mentor from United Teaching who checks in regularly and ensures your training stays on track

If you are on the PGCE route, you will also have a university tutor to support you.

Requirements and eligibility

Requirements and eligibility

Degree

2:2 or above, or equivalent

All candidates must hold either a degree or A Level (B or above), BTEC (Distinction) or IB Grade (5+) in the subject they wish to teach.

On a case-by-case basis, we will take into account significant relevant experience in your subject area if you do not meet this requirement, but it is rare for us to place a trainee out of specialism.

All applications are evaluated individually and on merit.

Please note:

  • International candidates holding equivalent qualifications must submit an ENIC Statement of Comparability at the point of application.

GCSEs

Grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths, or equivalent qualification

Candidates with pending GCSEs will be considered. Equivalency tests will be accepted in English or maths.

For more competitive apprenticeships, priority will be given to applicants who have achieved all required GCSEs, or accepted equivalents, before applying.

For any candidates who need to undertake equivalency exams, we accept the following providers:

  • A Star Equivalency | GCSE Equivalency Tests & Courses
  • Birmingham City University Equivalency Tests
  • Equivalency Testing | GCSE Equivalency Tests

Please note:

  • Functional Skills Level 2 and/or IELTS are not considered equivalent to GCSE for our course.
  • International candidates holding equivalent qualifications must submit an ENIC Statement of Comparability at the point of application.
What will I do each day as a teacher?

What will I do each day as a teacher?

Time spent teaching in the classroom is only one part of the role.

  • You will plan lessons in advance so that you feel prepared and your pupils benefit from engaging and effective teaching.
  • You will monitor progress through assessment and classwork, using this to adapt your teaching and support pupil learning. You will also communicate progress with parents and discuss strategies during parent evenings.
  • You will take part in department meetings, contribute to shared goals, and support the development of schemes of work. You will also share data with the department to support both your own progress and that of your pupils.
  • You will contribute to pupil wellbeing, helping to create an environment where every child feels safe, supported, and able to succeed.
  • You will get involved in wider school life, including co-curricular activities such as clubs, events, and trips.
  • You will be part of a collaborative and supportive community, working closely with colleagues who are committed to making a difference. 
Where you can train

Where you can train

You’ll spend most of your training year in one school, where you’ll be based, teach, and build relationships. You’ll also complete a three-week placement in a contrasting school and attend training online on Friday afternoons, with some in-person sessions at a United Teaching Regional Training Centre.

With more than 110 schools across England, we can place trainees in a location that suits them. We place trainees directly into United Learning primary and secondary schools, as well as a wide network of partner academies and independent schools, so you never need to find your own placement.

When you apply, you can tell us your preferred school. We’ll then look for the best match based on your subject, school environment, and where you're most likely to thrive, aiming to place you within around an hour's commute.

We also welcome applications from school staff outside our network who already have a placement school and need an accredited provider for their training year. Please contact us for more information.

How we'll support you

How we'll support you

We have trained thousands of teachers who are now making a difference in schools across the country. From your first day, your wellbeing and professional growth will be at the heart of your training.

You will benefit from:

  • High-quality, practical training
  • Strong subject and pastoral mentoring
  • A research-led curriculum
  • Local school placements
  • Clear pathways for career progression
  • A strong focus on wellbeing

Our course is for those who want to make a lasting impact in their classrooms and communities and develop into confident teachers, role models, and future leaders.

Dedicated mentor support

Dedicated mentor support

You will have three mentors, each offering tailored support.

Lead mentor

A member of United Teaching staff who visits you in your school to check in on your training and how it's going, and to oversee your lesson observations. 

Subject mentor

A subject expert in your school who supports your subject knowledge development, gives insight into best practice, and answers any subject-specific (secondary) or phase (primary) questions you might have.

Professional mentor

A school-based mentor who supports your overall professional development. You will have regular meetings to keep track of your progress, overcome any obstacles, and learn how you can continue to improve to become the best teacher you can be.

What will you study

What will you study

Your training covers five key areas:

  • behaviour
  • pedagogy
  • curriculum
  • assessment
  • professional practice

If you are doing the PGCE, you will also complete two written assignments that link directly to your classroom work.

Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to develop your teaching style, strengthen your classroom presence, and focus on how best to support your pupils’ progress.

You will get feedback every week and set clear targets to keep you moving forward. There are also fixed review points across the year.

Your final assessment, in May to July, includes a joint lesson observation, a progress discussion, and a review of your portfolio of evidence.

Weekly training

Weekly training

Training sessions are on Friday afternoons, led by the United Teaching team and subject leads.

These dive into the theory of teaching and cover aspects such as Rosenshine’s principles, professional behaviour, and curriculum. The benefit of a school-based programme is that you can quickly put your learning into practice in the classroom, adapting and refining as you go.

After each session, you will add to your training log to keep a record of what you’ve learned, how you plan on implementing it, and ultimately show how you have met each Teacher's Standard.

Most sessions are delivered remotely, but at least one each half term takes place in person at one of our regional training centres.

Assessment

Assessment

To qualify as a teacher, you must successfully meet all Teachers’ Standards.

Our assessment model focuses on formative assessment and target setting, which allows you to develop continuously throughout your training year. You will maintain an online portfolio as a folder of evidence of how you meet each Teacher Standard. This is a formal record of your training year and will form part of the final assessment. 

The final assessment takes place in May - July and includes a joint lesson observation, progress and feedback discussion, and a review of your portfolio.

PGCE

PGCE

If you choose to study a PGCE, you’ll complete this alongside your school-based training. 

You will be assessed via two written assignments, which are designed to work in conjunction with our curriculum: pedagogy for learning in the classroom and planning for learning in the classroom. These assignments ask you to reflect on and evaluate your own practice and that of your placement schools. They provide you with 60 credits at Level 7, which can be used as part of a future Master's degree (180 credits). 

You will be allocated an academic tutor who will support you throughout the course. For each academic assignment, you will be provided with taught sessions and 1:1tutorials. 

To be successful, you will need to engage thoroughly with published academic research and educational theory. 

What is the interview process?

What is the interview process?

The majority of our shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview, but you may be invited to an in-person interview for more competitive placements. All interviews are held with a two or three member panel of the United Teaching team.

We provide guidance and interview support ahead of interviews, so all candidates will know what to expect and how to best prepare.

Your interview will be in three parts:

  • A formal interview exploring your potential to train to teach
  • A 10 minute lesson activity you will prepare and deliver during your interview
  • An offline written task to evaluate your written accuracy and clarity

You will receive feedback on your lesson so you may experience the style of feedback trainees receive whilst on the course.

For competitive placements or practical subjects, like PE, we may extend a second round interview in a school setting.

Successful candidates’ offers are conditional on the following criteria:

  • Successfully obtaining your projected degree qualification (if you are still at university)
  • Verification of all documentation and academic qualifications
  • Passing clear identity and DBS checks
  • Passing any needed equivalencies or SKEs by 1st September 2026
What you will do on school placements

What you will do on school placements

From your very first day, you are welcomed as part of the staff team. You will teach lessons, support classes, and get involved in school life, from duties to extracurricular activities. Weekly mentoring helps you build confidence step by step.

Over the year, you will also complete focused Intensive Training and Practice activities (ITAP), designed to sharpen specific classroom skills.

Your three-week placement in another school will broaden your perspective and prepare you to teach in a variety of contexts.

You will have two mentors in your school:

  • A professional mentor who oversees your progress
  • A subject mentor who meets you weekly and observes your lessons

And you will have an additional mentor from United Teaching:

  • A lead mentor from United Teaching who checks in regularly and ensures your training stays on track

If you are on the PGCE route, you will also have a university tutor to support you.

Funding your programme

There is a range of funding options available to support you during your teacher training journey, including:

  • Scholarships of up to £31,000 for eligible subjects
  • Bursaries of up to £29,000 for eligible subjects
  • Student loans to help cover tuition fees
  • Maintenance loans to support living costs while you train
  • Disabled Students’ Allowance for trainees with a disability, long-term health condition or learning difficulty

Funding eligibility varies by subject and personal circumstances, helping make teacher training accessible to a wide range of aspiring teachers.

 

Apply now