Teacher training is one of the most important investments the education system makes, and one of the most significant a trainee teacher makes in themselves. Get it right, and you produce confident, well-prepared teachers who make a real difference to pupils from day one. Get it wrong, and newly qualified teachers can find themselves underprepared, overwhelmed and heading for the exit within a few years. So, what does genuinely effective teacher training look like, and why does it matter so much?.

Many people assume that teaching is only open to those who studied education at university. It is not. In the UK, you can become a teacher without an education degree and in some cases, without following the traditional university route at all. If you have been putting off exploring teaching because you did not study education, this article is for you. One of the most common questions people ask is: can I become a teacher without an education degree? The answer is yes. In England, the qualification that matters most for teaching in state schools is Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), not an education degree. The government explains that you can gain QTS through teacher training after a degree in any subject, provided you meet the entry requirements for your chosen training route. [page:0][page:1]