Getting into teaching

Hi, I would like to get into teaching and become a qualified teacher. I’m doing my last year of A-levels and plan to finish them hopefully. I have applied for an undergraduate degree for Psychology.
I was wondering whether it’s mandatory to have an undergrad degree in order to get QTS.
Or is there a shorter route where I apply for a different degree which does teacher training and allows me to be a qualified teacher straught away.
Thanks!

Hi @aminah_001,
It is great to hear you are looking to become a teacher. There are lots of different routes into teaching.
There are some undergraduate initial teaching training courses, which on successful completion of the course would enable you to gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Therefore, wouldn't require you to complete a PGCE course afterwards to become a teacher. Further information about our undergraduate teacher training courses can be found here. You might also find it useful to chat to Patrick who is a current student on our BA (Hons) Primary Education course.
Alternatively, some people choose to complete an undergraduate degree first and then go on to study a PGCE afterwards to become a teacher. Further information about our PGCE courses can be found here.
Undergraduate teacher training programmes are more common for primary and early years education. Therefore, if you are looking to teach secondary education, you may find you would be required to complete an undergraduate degree first to enable you to progress on to a PGCE in your chosen secondary subject.
I hope this helps, please do let me know if you have any further questions I can assist you with 🙂
Pippa
Course Enquiries Team

Thanks Pippa! I would be looking to teach primary aged children. I’ve already chosen my firm ucas choice as Psychology…maybe if i go through clearing would i possibly be able to change? If i did change through clearing, do primary education courses usually have a lot of space?
Also, if i want to change my degree to the primary education one (since i’ve already picked psychology) but have changed my mind, would it be possible to do that in the first month of uni or just before? Or would it be too late by then to change.
Many thanks!!

Hi @aminah_001,
Clearing provides an opportunity to apply for alternative courses. Courses will only be available to apply for if there are spaces available. Therefore, universities can't guarantee what choices there will be.
Students can currently apply through UCAS Extra. UCAS extra is another opportunity to be considered for a course. Although please note, students can only apply for one course at a time through UCAS Extra. You might find our UCAS Extra guide helpful for further information.
If you are considering attending the university you currently hold an offer for, you could enquire directly with them, whether you could be considered for an alternative course if you are looking switch.
Students are usually able to change their degree course within the first few weeks of term if they aren't enjoying their subject. However, the process will vary between each university and the time frame required to do this within. It would also depend on whether there are still spaces available on the course you wish to move to. Therefore, I would encourage you to double check with the university you wish to study at.
I hope this helps, do let me know if there is anything else I can assist you with.
Pippa
Course Enquiries Team

Hi Pippa,
Thanks for the information about clearing. I’ll definitely consider it as an option on results day. I’ll also have a look at UCAS extra.
Can i apply to the education course through clearing since i only have a personal statement for psychology?
Many thanks!
Aminah