PGCE vs QTS
Wondering which teaching qualification is right for you? There are a number of misconceptions when it comes to teaching qualifications, which can make researching quite daunting.
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To help you navigate the world of teaching, we have broken down the key differences between Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), including what each qualification leads to and what is essential for teaching in the UK and beyond. This will allow you to understand what qualifications you need to meet your career goals, and help you decide which course is right for you!
Qualified Teacher Status
If you are looking to start your teaching career, Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is essential. QTS is the status required of all teachers and a legal requirement for teaching in state-maintained schools in England.
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Academies, independent schools and free schools can hire teachers without QTS, however, non-QTS teaching roles are rare and most employers require teachers to have QTS. Having QTS is highly recommended from an employment perspective (as you are eligible to teach in state-maintained schools) and also allows for further progression into leadership roles in your career.
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The purpose of QTS is to demonstrate that a teacher has met the rigorous professional standards required to ensure quality teaching. Most postgraduate teacher training programmes will offer QTS as standard with or without a PGCE.
Postgraduate Certificate
in Education (PGCE)
A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is an academic qualification that is typically completed at a University or a HEI partner. For example, Sheffield Hallam University deliver the PGCE element of our PGCE with QTS programme on our behalf.
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There are several reasons why a PGCE may be a good choice for you:
1. International Opportunities
One of the biggest benefits of a PGCE is the fact it is internationally recognised in most other countries. This opens the door to teaching internationally and is a desirable qualification for anyone considering teaching outside of England during their career.
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2. Masters Level Further Study
Completion of a PGCE also provides you with 60 Masters level credits. Individuals who complete a PGCE put these credits towards a full Masters degree, completing additional modules at university.
3. Theoretical Development
​Completing a PGCE whilst obtaining your Qualified Teacher Status has additional benefits during your training. The additional theoretical elements provided by your PGCE can enhance your practice in the classroom, developing your understanding of teaching and making you a stronger practitioner.
Is a PGCE the right qualification for me?
As we have established, having QTS is essential for becoming a teacher in England. A PGCE, however, is not required to become a teacher, despite being offered by the vast majority of initial teacher training providers.
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So which qualification is right for you?
The answer depends entirely on your current circumstances and your future career plans. When making your decision as to whether a PGCE is right for you, we suggest considering the following:
1. Career Goals and Future Plans
If you have plans to move abroad or pursue a Masters degree, completing a PGCE while obtaining your QTS is the best approach as it is an essential part of your future plans. Its additional academic rigour is also beneficial for some during their teacher training year as it can enhance teaching practice in the classroom. However, if it is unlikely that you will move abroad or complete any further study, the option of a QTS Only route may be more appealing.
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2. Workload Management
Workload should be a big consideration when deciding whether a PGCE programme is right for you. Our PGCE programme contains two assignments and four additional teaching days that are not completed by our QTS Only trainees - this is in addition to the portfolio of evidence required by all trainees to demonstrate how they have met the Teachers' Standards. This means PGCE programmes do have a higher workload which may not suit everyone during their teacher training year depending on their circumstances.
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3. Academic Writing
The standard of work required for PGCE assignments is at Level 7 (Masters level) . While some may thrive from the additional academic challenge of writing and researching at this level, for others it can add unnecessary strain to your teacher training year. Essay writing and research form a large part of a PGCE and you should consider this when weighing up whether the qualification is right for you. If you do not need the PGCE for your career options and you are unsure if essay writing and research is for you, this could be your deciding factor.
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4. Age is Just a Number!
One of the most frequently asked questions from career changes about our PGCE programme is whether it is too late to jump back into University study. The answer is no!
The time between completing your degree and starting your teacher training should not be a barrier to you completing a PGCE. If you have a good academic record and meet all of the entry requirements, then there is no limit to you obtaining a PGCE. There will be a period of adjustment for all trainees on our PGCE course regardless of when they last studied, so do not be put off if it has been a while since you completed an essay!
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5. No Difference in Employability​
As a provider, there is no evidence that our QTS Only trainees are less employable than those with a PGCE. Most employers only require QTS for employment, and not having a PGCE does not limit your career progression within school. The PGCE can of course develop and enhance your classroom practice, which in turn can boost your success at interview, however, our QTS Only trainees typically find that they have more time to dedicate to placement experiences without the added stress of assignments. This means the choice between the two programmes should not be based on employability, as it is down to each individual and which experiences they think would benefit their development as a teacher!​​
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The decision to complete a PGCE is unique to each individual. If you head into a PGCE aware of the expectations, have strong time management and organisation skills and meet the minimum degree entry requirements, a PGCE qualification can be very attractive and broaden your teaching opportunities. However, it is important to address the misconception that teachers need a PGCE - it is not essential for teaching in England. The essential qualification for teachers is QTS, and you should not be put off starting your teaching career if you do not think a PGCE is right for you.
Where do I go from here?
Where do I go from here?
The decision to complete a PGCE is unique to each individual. If you head into a PGCE aware of the expectations, have strong time management and organisation skills and meet the minimum degree entry requirements, a PGCE qualification can be very attractive and broaden your teaching opportunities. It is also a great opportunity to develop your teaching skills and broaden your theoretical knowledge around teaching.
It is however important to address the misconception that teachers need a PGCE - it is not essential for teaching in England. So if you don't think further academic study is for you, or you would prefer to focus your time on achieving QTS, a QTS only route could be the right option.
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If you want to discuss your options in more detail, please get in touch with our team who will help you decide which route into teaching is right for you!