What would be realistic for me to qualify to teach?
Apologies for the long post. Will do a TLDR.
Regrettably, at college I mainly chose to study for career over passion and now I have decided to chase my passion as my career anyway.
I studied 3 a levels in Maths, Biology and Psychology. I got a B, C and A respectively. I chose to study those subjects at A-level as I wanted to pursue a career involving Biology. While at college, my priorities changed and I decided I wanted to become a Primary Teacher.
I went on to study Primary Education Studies at University and graduated with a First. While at University though, I decided I wanted to teach English abroad before going into teaching. After graduation, I worked as an LSA in a Secondary (mainly with kids with SEN in core subjects, but also in humanities) for a year while waiting for my application to teach English in Japan to go through. I really enjoyed working in a Secondary over when I volunteered in a Primary while at Uni.
I have now been working in Japan for 6 months. I work with kids aged 5-15 (and soon, also nursery age kids). I enjoy it here and have renewed my contract for a 2nd year (until August2026) however I am pretty confident that I want to return to the UK after that 2nd year.
I want to qualify to be a Secondary teacher when I return, but I have no clue what subject I could realistically get onto a PGCE for. I was offered to train for Maths at my previous secondary, but I turned it down because of going to Japan and the fact that I honestly can't think of anything worse than teaching Maths.
My real passions are History or maybe something like Sociology/Citizenship/Psychology. My Japanese level is like low-intermediate currently, so I doubt I would be able to teach that as a full subject or anything other than an extra-curricular club unless I make unprecedented progress in the next 18 months lol.
As I didn't complete even an a-level in history, I feel that it is probably pretty unlikely for me to be able to do a PGCE for it but I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this or if I will have to do extra study in History to have a chance of teaching it.
As for Sociology/Citizenship, I could argue a portion of my degree was dedicated to that, but I am not sure if its enough to count as 50%. With Psychology, I had a very very small portion of my degree dedicated to it, but I got an A at A-level in the subject. However, I know it isn't often taught at GCSE level. Does anyone think that one of these subjects would be possible for me? Of course, my real passion would be History, but I would take one of these subjects too and maybe try to get into History later down the line.
TLDR:
Want to teach History or Sociology/Psychology/Citizenship at Secondary. Degree is Primary Education Studies with a 1st. Currently work in Japan teaching English. A levels were Maths/Biology/Psychology. Are those subjects realistic for me to do PGCEs for or will I need to do extra study?
Regrettably, at college I mainly chose to study for career over passion and now I have decided to chase my passion as my career anyway.
I studied 3 a levels in Maths, Biology and Psychology. I got a B, C and A respectively. I chose to study those subjects at A-level as I wanted to pursue a career involving Biology. While at college, my priorities changed and I decided I wanted to become a Primary Teacher.
I went on to study Primary Education Studies at University and graduated with a First. While at University though, I decided I wanted to teach English abroad before going into teaching. After graduation, I worked as an LSA in a Secondary (mainly with kids with SEN in core subjects, but also in humanities) for a year while waiting for my application to teach English in Japan to go through. I really enjoyed working in a Secondary over when I volunteered in a Primary while at Uni.
I have now been working in Japan for 6 months. I work with kids aged 5-15 (and soon, also nursery age kids). I enjoy it here and have renewed my contract for a 2nd year (until August2026) however I am pretty confident that I want to return to the UK after that 2nd year.
I want to qualify to be a Secondary teacher when I return, but I have no clue what subject I could realistically get onto a PGCE for. I was offered to train for Maths at my previous secondary, but I turned it down because of going to Japan and the fact that I honestly can't think of anything worse than teaching Maths.
My real passions are History or maybe something like Sociology/Citizenship/Psychology. My Japanese level is like low-intermediate currently, so I doubt I would be able to teach that as a full subject or anything other than an extra-curricular club unless I make unprecedented progress in the next 18 months lol.
As I didn't complete even an a-level in history, I feel that it is probably pretty unlikely for me to be able to do a PGCE for it but I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this or if I will have to do extra study in History to have a chance of teaching it.
As for Sociology/Citizenship, I could argue a portion of my degree was dedicated to that, but I am not sure if its enough to count as 50%. With Psychology, I had a very very small portion of my degree dedicated to it, but I got an A at A-level in the subject. However, I know it isn't often taught at GCSE level. Does anyone think that one of these subjects would be possible for me? Of course, my real passion would be History, but I would take one of these subjects too and maybe try to get into History later down the line.
TLDR:
Want to teach History or Sociology/Psychology/Citizenship at Secondary. Degree is Primary Education Studies with a 1st. Currently work in Japan teaching English. A levels were Maths/Biology/Psychology. Are those subjects realistic for me to do PGCEs for or will I need to do extra study?
Reply 1
19
Try to get onto a PGCE for secondary Psychology. Alongside that, or perhaps afterwards, study by distance for an A Level in History. Once you’re qualified to teach, schools can ask you to teach anything they perceive you’re even remotely qualified for (and frankly even things you’re not). TBH you might find yourself roped into teaching Bio/Maths even if you don’t want to, if that’s what your school needs. If you have anything showing even a modicum of expertise/willingness (e.g. A-Level History) then that will help enormously. I could quite feasibly see a scenario where you are a teacher in a secondary school and your timetable consists of Psychology, History and PSHE. So in short, I don’t think your proposition is unrealistic at all, but indeed further study will be needed if you want to teach History specifically.
Reply 2
19
UCL, Sussex, Roehampton and MMU all do Psych PGCEs, to name just a few. Maybe phone and speak to them?
Reply 3
leh02
OP
2
Original post
by AngelilUCL, Sussex, Roehampton and MMU all do Psych PGCEs, to name just a few. Maybe phone and speak to them?
Thank you for your reply, I would be quite happy teaching Psychology and distance learning a History a-level. Will look into it!
I could definitely get roped into Maths if my previous job was anything to go by but maybe some Maths wouldn't be so bad if I was mainly doing other subjects.
I will email the universities, as phoning them from Japan will cost me a bit extra and the time zones line up quite badly haha.
Reply 4
19
Indeed - good point! Good luck 
Reply 5
Original post
by leh02Apologies for the long post. Will do a TLDR.
Regrettably, at college I mainly chose to study for career over passion and now I have decided to chase my passion as my career anyway.
I studied 3 a levels in Maths, Biology and Psychology. I got a B, C and A respectively. I chose to study those subjects at A-level as I wanted to pursue a career involving Biology. While at college, my priorities changed and I decided I wanted to become a Primary Teacher.
I went on to study Primary Education Studies at University and graduated with a First. While at University though, I decided I wanted to teach English abroad before going into teaching. After graduation, I worked as an LSA in a Secondary (mainly with kids with SEN in core subjects, but also in humanities) for a year while waiting for my application to teach English in Japan to go through. I really enjoyed working in a Secondary over when I volunteered in a Primary while at Uni.
I have now been working in Japan for 6 months. I work with kids aged 5-15 (and soon, also nursery age kids). I enjoy it here and have renewed my contract for a 2nd year (until August2026) however I am pretty confident that I want to return to the UK after that 2nd year.
I want to qualify to be a Secondary teacher when I return, but I have no clue what subject I could realistically get onto a PGCE for. I was offered to train for Maths at my previous secondary, but I turned it down because of going to Japan and the fact that I honestly can't think of anything worse than teaching Maths.
My real passions are History or maybe something like Sociology/Citizenship/Psychology. My Japanese level is like low-intermediate currently, so I doubt I would be able to teach that as a full subject or anything other than an extra-curricular club unless I make unprecedented progress in the next 18 months lol.
As I didn't complete even an a-level in history, I feel that it is probably pretty unlikely for me to be able to do a PGCE for it but I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this or if I will have to do extra study in History to have a chance of teaching it.
As for Sociology/Citizenship, I could argue a portion of my degree was dedicated to that, but I am not sure if its enough to count as 50%. With Psychology, I had a very very small portion of my degree dedicated to it, but I got an A at A-level in the subject. However, I know it isn't often taught at GCSE level. Does anyone think that one of these subjects would be possible for me? Of course, my real passion would be History, but I would take one of these subjects too and maybe try to get into History later down the line.
TLDR:
Want to teach History or Sociology/Psychology/Citizenship at Secondary. Degree is Primary Education Studies with a 1st. Currently work in Japan teaching English. A levels were Maths/Biology/Psychology. Are those subjects realistic for me to do PGCEs for or will I need to do extra study?
Regrettably, at college I mainly chose to study for career over passion and now I have decided to chase my passion as my career anyway.
I studied 3 a levels in Maths, Biology and Psychology. I got a B, C and A respectively. I chose to study those subjects at A-level as I wanted to pursue a career involving Biology. While at college, my priorities changed and I decided I wanted to become a Primary Teacher.
I went on to study Primary Education Studies at University and graduated with a First. While at University though, I decided I wanted to teach English abroad before going into teaching. After graduation, I worked as an LSA in a Secondary (mainly with kids with SEN in core subjects, but also in humanities) for a year while waiting for my application to teach English in Japan to go through. I really enjoyed working in a Secondary over when I volunteered in a Primary while at Uni.
I have now been working in Japan for 6 months. I work with kids aged 5-15 (and soon, also nursery age kids). I enjoy it here and have renewed my contract for a 2nd year (until August2026) however I am pretty confident that I want to return to the UK after that 2nd year.
I want to qualify to be a Secondary teacher when I return, but I have no clue what subject I could realistically get onto a PGCE for. I was offered to train for Maths at my previous secondary, but I turned it down because of going to Japan and the fact that I honestly can't think of anything worse than teaching Maths.
My real passions are History or maybe something like Sociology/Citizenship/Psychology. My Japanese level is like low-intermediate currently, so I doubt I would be able to teach that as a full subject or anything other than an extra-curricular club unless I make unprecedented progress in the next 18 months lol.
As I didn't complete even an a-level in history, I feel that it is probably pretty unlikely for me to be able to do a PGCE for it but I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this or if I will have to do extra study in History to have a chance of teaching it.
As for Sociology/Citizenship, I could argue a portion of my degree was dedicated to that, but I am not sure if its enough to count as 50%. With Psychology, I had a very very small portion of my degree dedicated to it, but I got an A at A-level in the subject. However, I know it isn't often taught at GCSE level. Does anyone think that one of these subjects would be possible for me? Of course, my real passion would be History, but I would take one of these subjects too and maybe try to get into History later down the line.
TLDR:
Want to teach History or Sociology/Psychology/Citizenship at Secondary. Degree is Primary Education Studies with a 1st. Currently work in Japan teaching English. A levels were Maths/Biology/Psychology. Are those subjects realistic for me to do PGCEs for or will I need to do extra study?
Hello @leh02,
Firstly, I would just like to say congratulations on your impeccable achievements throughout your years of study. You should be very proud of your grades.
Secondly, I often encourage my own candidates, in similar positions to yourself, to consider teaching the subject(s) they are most passionate about. You may also like to consider, before making a decision, the bursaries that some subjects offer, and the fact that once you are an established teacher, with Qualified Teacher Status (for a specific subject), you're ultimately qualified to teach. So, providing you have the subject knowledge/enthusiasm, you are able to teach other subjects.
In terms of eligibility, teacher training course providers will assess your knowledge at interview but it is desirable to have a relevant degree, or (in some cases) a very good A Level grade (so it's always best to speak with providers regarding this before you apply).
Our service, Get Into Teaching, offers FREE and impartial one-to-one tailored support, from an adviser who is an experienced, qualified teacher. I truly believe speaking with a member of our team will be of great help to you whilst you navigate the best route to becoming a teacher, for you.
Applications for teacher training for those wishing to start in September 2026, open from October this year (2025).
Please visit our website (click here) for more information, and should you like to speak with one of our advisers, you can request one here.
I wish you the very best.
Tom
Get Into Teaching
Reply 6
Not a teacher (I'm an engineer, but I nearly went into teaching), BUT, if life has taught me anything, it's that very few things in life are completely unrealistic or unachievable..... they might just need a bit/lot of extra work and effort. Some really good advice above and none of what you want to do seems unreasonable so best of luck to you
People often underestimate just how much of a driving force passion can be, and you'd be surprised how transferrable the skills you have learned and are demonstrating out in japan can be.
People often underestimate just how much of a driving force passion can be, and you'd be surprised how transferrable the skills you have learned and are demonstrating out in japan can be.
(edited 11 months ago)
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