Routes into Teaching: Secondary

As a secondary school teacher, you will have the opportunity to motivate, inspire and shape young minds as they prepare for further and higher education, and employment.

You will work in collaboration with several agencies and support teams to give your pupils an enriching school experience. There are lots of opportunities for progression in secondary teaching and you might even consider a leadership role. Alternatively, you could teach in a college or sixth form, work for an exam board or local authority or freelance as a private tutor.

Bursaries & Scholarships Information

You may be eligible for a bursary or scholarship when training to teach. These are tax-free amounts of money you receive to train in certain subjects.

You do not need to pay them back.

To find out more about the funding available and the eligibility criteria, visit Teacher training funding.

Choosing the right route for you

BA Hons Secondary Education 11-16, with QTS

Is this course right for me?

Those who want to undertake a Secondary route degree with QTS in 3 years

Requirements

  • 112 UCAS points
  • Candidate prepared to undertake a 3-year degree
  • Subject Specific Level 3 qualification
Secondary drama students performing a group exercise in a classroom setting at Birmingham Newman University.

BA (Honours) Secondary Education Science (with Biology) 11-16 with Post 16 enhancement (with recommendation for QTS)

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary Education teacher in classroom with students

BA (Honours) Secondary Education English 11-16 with Post 16 enhancement (with recommendation for QTS)

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary Education teacher in classroom with students

BA (Honours) Secondary Education Humanities (History, Geography and RE) 11-16 with Post 16 enhancement (with recommendation for QTS)

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary Education teacher in classroom with students

BA (Honours) Secondary Education Mathematics 11-16 with Post 16 enhancement (with recommendation for QTS)

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary Education teacher in classroom with students

BA (Honours) Secondary Education Physical Education 11-16 with Post 16 enhancement (with recommendation for QTS)

Start date:
September 2026

Postgraduate Programmes

Is this course right for me?

PGCE Secondary Education 11-16, with QTS

This route is suitable for graduates with a subject/aligned degree and suitable Level 3 qualifications.

Full time – 1 year

This route is for students who already have a degree and would like to train to be a Secondary teacher in one year.

Part time – 2 years

The part time route, over 2 years, is for students who already have a degree but have commitments that mean studying part-time would be a better option.

Requirements

  • Degree
  • Needs to have GCSE English/Mathematics at Level 4 (or be able to complete the equivalency test)

Birmingham Newman Direct (school-based)

This route is suitable for graduates with a subject/ aligned degree and suitable Level 3 qualifications.

This route is for students who would prefer to train while being mainly based in school with learning days in university. This is a one-year programme.

Requirements

  • Degree
  • Needs to have GCSE English/Mathematics at Level 4 (or be able to complete the equivalency test)
Secondary Phase Assessment Only Route

This route is suitable for unqualified teachers, with school support, to undertake assessment for QTS. Applicants will complete a 12-week assessment (not taught) process.

Requirements

  • Has a degree in subject/ aligned subject.
  • Has a minimum of 2 years teaching experience in a secondary school (planning, delivering and being
  • accountable for class/ group outcomes) in the UK.
  • Has at least 6 weeks experience of teaching in a second school in the UK.
Secondary students at front of class

PGCE Secondary Art & Design with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary drama students performing a group exercise in a classroom setting at Birmingham Newman University.

PGCE Secondary Art & Design with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary Education teacher in classroom with students

PGCE Secondary Biology with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary students at front of class

PGCE Secondary Chemistry with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Computer Science student in class on laptop with tutor

PGCE Secondary Computing with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Student in class at desk

PGCE Secondary Computing with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Student in class at desk

PGCE Secondary Drama with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary students at front of class

PGCE Secondary English with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary drama students performing a group exercise in a classroom setting at Birmingham Newman University.

PGCE Secondary Geography with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Student in class at desk

PGCE Secondary Geography with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary students in lecture

PGCE Secondary History with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary students in lecture

PGCE Secondary History with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary students at front of class

PGCE Secondary Mathematics with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary students at front of class

PGCE Secondary Mathematics with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary students at in class

PGCE Secondary Modern Foreign Languages with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary Education teacher in classroom with students

PGCE Secondary Modern Foreign Languages with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary Education teacher in classroom with students

PGCE Secondary Physics with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Sport Coaching lesson in gym with young children

PGCE Secondary Physical Education with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Secondary Education teacher in classroom with students

PGCE Secondary Religious Education with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
Student in class sitting at desk

PGCE Secondary Religious Education with recommendation for QTS

Start date:
September 2026
secondary school teacher at front of class talking to students

Birmingham Newman Direct (Secondary)

Welcome to the Birmingham Newman Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Partnership Thank you for being part…

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