If you want to be a primary teacher, you will train to teach all the national curriculum subjects. If you choose to teach at secondary level, you may teach one or more of the national curriculum subjects in depth, or one of an increasing number of vocational subjects on offer.

There are a variety of routes into teaching in the state sector in England and Wales and achieving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This almost always means completing a programme of initial teacher training (ITT). Combining theoretical learning with at least 18 weeks spent practising teaching on placements in schools, ITT helps you to develop the skills you need to become an effective teacher and achieve qualified teacher status.

The Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

After you have completed a degree, the most common route into teaching is through the postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE).

A PGCE course focuses primarily on the development of your teaching skills, and not on the subject you intend to teach. For this reason, you are expected to have a good understanding of your chosen subject(s) – usually to degree level – before you start training.

Courses generally last for one year full-time or up to two years part-time.

PGCE courses are available at universities and colleges throughout the UK. It is also be possible to study for a PGCE via flexible distance learning, or in a school by completing a programme of school centres initial teacher training (SCITT).

Eligible trainees completing PGCE courses in England are entitled to receive a tax-free training bursary of £6,000-9,000. The precise amount depends on the subject and course start date.

In addition to funding such as this, you may be eligible to receive taxable 'golden hello' payments worth between £2,500 and £5,000, depending on the subject, after successfully completing your induction period as a newly qualified teacher (NQT).

The Batchelor of Education (BEd)

A bachelor of education (BEd) course enables you to study for your degree and complete your initial teacher training at the same time.

A BEd is an honours degree course in education. Course content may vary according to the university or college providing it, but all BEd graduates receive qualified teacher status (QTS) in addition to their degree.

It is a popular choice for those who are interested in teaching primary school children, but it is also an option for anyone wanting to teach secondary.

Courses generally take three or four years full-time or four to six years part-time. However, if you have undergraduate credits from previous study you may be able to complete a course in two years.

Primary teachers work with children between the ages of three and eleven and teach all of the subjects in the national curriculum.

Primary school teachers are expected to demonstrate a sound, basic knowledge of all the subjects in the curriculum for key stages 1 and 2. A degree is required, though not in a specialised subject.

Secondary teachers work with children between the ages of eleven and eighteen. They specialise in teaching one or two subjects from the national curriculum.

Your degree should be relevant to the subject you want to train to teach. Examples of the way that degree subjects can relate to the curriculum are listed in the table below.

Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) - also referred to as teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) or English language teaching (ELT) - involves teaching English to those whose first language is not English, either in the UK or overseas.

TEFL teachers work in commercial language schools, schools and institutions of further and higher education in the UK and overseas. Some may teach in industry, whilst others are self-employed. Teaching takes place with small groups, typically of no more than 12 students, and classes are usually taught in English, even with beginners.

Typical work activities

Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is, like any other teaching job, all about conveying information to students in an informative and interesting manner.

Students learn English for a variety of reasons: to improve their conversational English; to improve their standard of English in preparation for school exams; to improve their English to gain entry to an English speaking university; or in order to be able to use English in their job. Consequently, the content of the lessons will vary. Depending on the school, the level of ability of the students may vary too.

The aim of each lesson is to encourage the students to communicate with each other using the structures and vocabulary they have learnt, and to improve the four basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Teachers will use a wide range of course books, other materials and a variety of audio-visual aids. There is a lot of emphasis on dialogue and role-playing, but more formal exercises, language games and literature will also be used.

Typical work activities are likely to include:

• planning, preparing and delivering lessons to a range of classes and age groups;
• marking/providing appropriate feedback on oral and written work;
• devising and writing new materials;
• getting involved in social and cultural activities;
• carrying out freelance teaching on a one-to-one basis;
• running specialist courses for adults or business people, which may require knowledge of scientific, technical or commercial terms.

TEFL is normally a route taken up after completing a first degree. Although this area of work is open to all graduates, the following subjects may increase your chances:

• English;
• modern European languages;
• modern non-European languages;
• linguistics;
• education.

For a basic-level job, the certificate courses are acceptable. However, those who wish to progress will need a higher qualification. Their options are:

• Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA) offered by University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) or the Trinity Licentiate Diploma (LTCT-TESOL) offered by Trinity College;
• MA in Applied Linguistics/TEFL.

Diploma courses are offered intensively over approximately eight weeks, or several months part-time.