Teacher degree apprenticeships offer a new pathway into teaching

A new teacher degree apprenticeship (TDA) route into teaching aims to widen access to the profession and support schools to develop a more representative workforce. The programme allows trainees to earn a salary while completing their degree and training largely in the classroom, helping to remove some of the financial barriers associated with traditional routes. It may also create opportunities for existing school staff to progress into teaching roles and help schools recruit and develop teachers in shortage subjects such as maths. 

The first Teacher Degree Apprenticeship programmes began in autumn 2025 and are now delivered by a number of training providers. Early providers include UCL Institute of Education, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Nottingham, the University of Brighton, the University of Huddersfield and the University of Staffordshire. Xavier Teach SouthEast also offers the programme in partnership with the University of Sussex. 

Prospective trainees can search and apply for available courses through the Department for Education’s Find Teacher Training service.

Applicants must be 16 or over, have lived in England for at least three years, and hold GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths (and science for primary teaching). Universities will set their own additional entry requirements, such as A levels or equivalent qualifications.

During the programme, trainees will work in a school from the outset while spending part of each week studying with a university. Their salary will increase as their responsibilities grow, and tuition fees are fully funded, meaning trainees can gain both a degree and QTS without taking on student debt.

The new apprenticeship will sit alongside existing routes into teaching, including university-led postgraduate training, school-led programmes, and employment-based routes such as Teach First or the Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship. On completion, trainees will qualify with the same QTS standard as teachers who train through other pathways.