How to Become a Primary Teacher in the UK
Qualifications, routes into teaching, 2026/27 pay and how to get started.
How to become a primary teacher in the UK
To become a primary teacher in England, you need a degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), plus GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English, maths and science. Graduates can gain QTS in about a year through a PGCE or school-based training, and qualified primary teachers start on £34,069 outside London in 2026/27.
- Ages 4 to 11
- Degree + QTS
- From £34,069
- EYFS, KS1 and KS2
What does a primary school teacher do?
Primary teachers plan and teach the whole curriculum to one class of children aged 4 to 11, from reading, writing and maths to science, art, music and PE. You'll track each child's progress, work with parents and support staff, and help every pupil feel safe and confident.
The age groups you could teach
- Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): Reception, age 4 to 5
- Key Stage 1: Years 1 and 2, age 5 to 7
- Key Stage 2: Years 3 to 6, age 7 to 11
Where you could work
- State primary schools and academies
- Independent and special schools
- Supply, long-term cover or permanent posts
Primary teacher qualifications and requirements
- A bachelor's degree, in any subject
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English, maths and science
- An enhanced DBS check
- Up-to-date safeguarding knowledge
- Experience with children, paid or voluntary, to strengthen your application
Requirements here are for England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own teacher registration rules.
4 ways to get QTS and become a primary teacher
Every route ends with Qualified Teacher Status. Which one suits you depends on whether you already have a degree and whether you want to earn while you train.
| Route | How it works |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree with QTS | A BEd or BA in primary education with QTS, taking 3 to 4 years. The route for people who don't yet have a degree. |
| Postgraduate training (PGCE or SCITT) | For graduates of any subject. Train at a university or with a school-centred provider, usually over one academic year, with placements in schools. |
| Postgraduate teaching apprenticeship | For graduates who want to earn while they train. You're employed by a school, the training is funded, and you finish with QTS. |
| Teach First | A salaried programme for graduates, training on the job in schools in disadvantaged areas. |
Once qualified, new teachers in England complete a two-year induction as an early career teacher (ECT). For course listings and funding, see the government's Get Into Teaching service.
Primary teacher pay in 2026/27
From September 2026, qualified primary teachers in England outside London are paid from £34,069 to about £46,939 on the main pay range. Teachers in London are paid more, with Inner London starting pay around £41,729.
- Pay rises through the main pay range as you gain experience
- Experienced teachers can move onto the upper pay range
- Extra responsibilities, such as leading a subject, can add a payment on top
Figures are the 2026/27 pay scales reported by teaching unions and employers, pending publication of the official pay document. Academies and independent schools can set their own pay.
Start as a teaching assistant and get classroom experience
Many primary teachers begin as teaching assistants. It's a paid way to find out if teaching is right for you, and the experience makes your teacher training application much stronger.
Why it helps
- No QTS needed to start
- Real experience to talk about at your training interview
- A chance to see EYFS, KS1 and KS2 up close
Find out more
Read our teaching assistant guide, or compare every school role in our guide to teaching careers in the UK.
Build your primary CPD with the Teacher CPD Bundle
Six CPD-approved online courses for £79 instead of £180, picked for anyone working with young children: Safeguarding Children, Paediatric First Aid, Introduction to EYFS, Children and Young People's Mental Health, Autism Awareness and Positive Handling in Schools. Great for your training application, your CV and your first classroom role.
How to become a primary teacher: 5 steps
Check your GCSEs
You'll need grade 4 (C) or above in English, maths and science.
Get classroom experience
Volunteer or work as a teaching assistant, and build your CPD with courses like Safeguarding Children.
Choose your route
A degree with QTS, a PGCE or SCITT, an apprenticeship or Teach First.
Train and gain QTS
Complete your training and school placements to earn Qualified Teacher Status.
Start as an ECT
Begin your first teaching job with a two-year early career teacher induction.
Love teaching young children? You could also teach abroad
- Teaching English to young learners abroad doesn't need QTS. Most schools ask for a degree and a 120-hour TEFL certificate.
- See our kindergarten teaching roles in China, or browse all our TEFL jobs around the world.
- Teaching abroad is also a great way to build classroom experience before you train as a teacher in the UK.
Becoming a primary teacher: your questions answered
What qualifications do you need to be a primary teacher?
In England, you need a bachelor's degree, Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English, maths and science. You'll also need an enhanced DBS check.
Can you become a primary teacher without a degree?
You need a degree to teach, but you can get one and QTS together through an undergraduate primary education degree with QTS, which takes 3 to 4 years. Many people work as a teaching assistant first to gain experience.
How long does it take to become a primary teacher?
If you already have a degree, postgraduate training such as a PGCE or SCITT usually takes one academic year. An undergraduate degree with QTS takes 3 to 4 years. After qualifying, you complete a two-year early career teacher induction while working.
How much does a primary teacher earn in 2026?
From September 2026, primary teachers in England outside London earn from £34,069 to about £46,939 on the main pay range, with more in London. Experienced teachers can move onto the upper pay range.
Does my degree need to be in education?
No. Postgraduate teacher training routes accept graduates of any subject, as long as you meet the GCSE requirements.
What training helps me get onto a primary teaching course?
Classroom experience matters most, but CPD in safeguarding, first aid and early years shows commitment. Our Teacher CPD Bundle covers Safeguarding Children, Paediatric First Aid, EYFS and more in six online courses for £79.
Does TEFL UK recruit primary teachers?
TEFL UK no longer recruits for UK schools. This guide explains how to become a primary teacher and the training that helps. For teaching English to children abroad, see our TEFL jobs.
Start your journey into primary teaching
Build the safeguarding, first aid and early years knowledge schools and training providers look for, with six CPD-approved courses for £79.