Secondary Education with QTS Degree Guide

Secondary school teachers play a key role in shaping young people’s knowledge, skills, and aspirations during one

of the most formative periods of their lives. If you’re passionate about a subject and want to share it with future generations, training to become a secondary teacher is a meaningful and impactful career choice.

This guide explores how to become a secondary school teacher through a QTS-accredited programme in the UK, and how training compares in other countries around the world.

Studying Secondary Education with QTS in the UK

In England and Wales, Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is the professional recognition required to teach in most state-maintained secondary schools. It ensures that teachers meet national standards of subject knowledge, teaching practice, and professional conduct.

Routes to QTS:

1. Undergraduate Route:

   • BA or BSc (Hons) with QTS – a subject-specific degree (e.g. English, Mathematics, Biology) that includes teacher training.

   • Less common than primary education degrees but available in subjects like Physical Education or Design Technology.

2. Postgraduate Route:

   • Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) – the most popular route.

   • One year full-time (or two years part-time) after completing a subject-relevant degree.

   • Combines university-based learning with extensive school placements.

3. School-Based Routes:

   • School Direct, SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training), or Teach First programmes provide hands-on experience while working towards QTS and possibly a PGCE.

What You'll Study:

• Subject-specific pedagogy

• Classroom management and behaviour strategies

• Curriculum planning and assessment

• Safeguarding and child development

• Inclusive education and differentiation

Entry Requirements:

• A relevant undergraduate degree (or A-levels for undergraduate route)

• GCSEs in English and maths (grade 4/C or above)

• Enhanced DBS check and health screening

• Subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) may be required for shortage subjects

Funding and Support:

• Tuition fee and maintenance loans are available for eligible students.

• Generous tax-free bursaries or scholarships are available in high-demand subjects like maths, physics, chemistry, computing, and languages.

• Trainee teachers receive professional mentoring throughout the course.

After Graduation:

• QTS allows you to teach in any maintained secondary school in England or Wales.

• Teachers can specialise in curriculum development, pastoral care, leadership, or even move into education policy or international teaching.

Secondary Teacher Training in Europe

In Europe, teacher training and certification vary widely by country. Most countries require a bachelor’s degree in a specific subject followed by a teaching qualification.

General Structure:

• In many European countries, becoming a secondary teacher involves:

  • A bachelor’s degree in the teaching subject.

  • A postgraduate teaching qualification (one to two years).

  • Teaching placements in secondary schools.

• Programmes are often regulated by national education ministries.

Examples:

• Ireland: Requires a Professional Master of Education (PME) after completing a subject-relevant degree. Teachers must register with the Teaching Council of Ireland.

• Germany: Requires a two-phase training system: university study followed by a Referendariat (practical training and assessment).

• Netherlands and Finland: Offer integrated master's-level teacher education programmes with strong emphasis on research and reflective practice.

Language requirements apply in most countries, especially for teaching in the local school system. Some universities offer English-language teaching degrees, particularly in international schools or bilingual contexts.

Secondary Teacher Training in Australia and New Zealand

Both Australia and New Zealand offer structured and regulated pathways into secondary teaching, with clear expectations for subject specialism and practical experience.

Australia:

• Common routes:

  • Bachelor of Secondary Education (four years)

  • Master of Teaching (Secondary) (two years for graduates)

• Regulated by state and territory teacher registration boards (e.g. VIT, NESA).

• Includes at least 60 days of supervised teaching placement.

New Zealand:

• Pathways include:

  • Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) (three to four years)

  • Graduate Diploma or Master of Teaching and Learning

• Regulated by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Programmes prepare students to teach two curriculum subjects and often include a focus on bicultural practice and Māori education.

Both countries offer strong job prospects and welcome international applicants who meet the registration and visa requirements.

Secondary Teacher Training in Canada

In Canada, education is governed at the provincial level, so requirements for becoming a secondary school teacher vary by region.

Typical Pathway:

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in the teaching subject.

• Followed by a Bachelor of Education (BEd) or Postgraduate Certificate in Education, usually one to two years.

• Includes supervised practicum placements in secondary schools.

Certification:

• Teachers must register with a provincial regulatory body (e.g., Ontario College of Teachers, British Columbia Teacher Regulation Branch).

• Certification exams and proof of proficiency in English or French are typically required.

Canadian teacher education places a strong emphasis on inclusive education, student wellbeing, and diversity in the classroom.

Secondary Teacher Training in the USA

In the United States, teacher certification is handled at the state level, and there is no national teaching licence.

Pathways to Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in education or the teaching subject, with a teacher preparation component.

• Alternatively, a postgraduate certification or master’s degree in education.

• Completion of student teaching placements and state-approved pedagogy coursework.

Licensing:

• Most states require teachers to pass standardised exams (e.g., Praxis series).

• Some states offer alternative certification routes for career changers or those with degrees in shortage subjects.

Teacher preparation programmes are regulated by each state’s Department of Education, and licensure requirements can differ significantly.

Final Thoughts

Secondary teaching is a fulfilling and intellectually engaging profession that allows you to specialise in a subject you love while guiding young people through key stages of their development. In the UK, QTS-accredited routes provide a structured and supported transition into the classroom. Elsewhere in the world, teacher education varies in length, structure, and regulation, but all share a commitment to producing capable, reflective, and inclusive educators.

When deciding where to study or teach, consider:

• Whether the programme leads to formal teaching certification

• Subject availability and demand

• Practical teaching opportunities and placements

• Language, visa, and professional registration requirements

Wherever you choose to train, a career in secondary education offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact - both in your subject and in your students’ futures.