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Initial Teacher Training

Initial Teacher Training 

Do you want to use your expertise and enthusiasm for your subject to teach the next generation? There are opportunities across Wales to train as a teacher through the postgradute course, the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). This course is a one-year course. 

Also, if you wish to follow this course on a part-time basis, or while you work, it is possible to do so over two years. Welsh-language courses are available, along with support to develop Welsh-language skills at every institution that offers the PGCE course.  

Your bilingual skills will be of enormous benefit when looking for a job.   

Courses

There are opportunities across Wales to train as a teacher if you already have a degree.  

The name of the programme is: Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), which leads to achieving ‘Qualified Teacher Status’ (QTS). The Status must be achieved to teach in schools in Wales.   

Usually, you follow the course on a full-time basis. You will study at university for part of that time, and the other part in schools.  

However, if you wish to follow the course on a part-time basis, or while you work, it is possible to do that over the course of two years.  

These courses are run by a partnership of universities, schools and regional consortia. The Open University offers the part-time courses and those you can undertake while you work.   

Studing in Welsh

The Welsh-language PGCE course is available across Wales. And every partnership that offers PGCE provides support for you to develop Welsh-language skills as part of your course.  

Your bilingual skills will be extremely beneficial when you look for a job. Every area, subject and sector across Wales needs more teachers with Welsh-language skills.  

Remember also that it’s possible that more grants will be available to you if you choose a course that prepares you to teach through the medium of Welsh, or to teach Welsh as a subject.  

Grants

The Welsh Government currently offers two different grants, which are: 

  • Iaith Athrawon Yfory: for students who undertake the secondary school postgraduate PGCE programme, which then means that they can teach through the medium of Welsh or Welsh as a subject  
  • Initial Teacher Training Incentive Scheme for priority subjects: for students who follow the secondary school postgraduate Initial Teacher Training programme in a priority subject; remember, these subjects can change from year to year. 
  • Ethnic Minority Initial Teacher Training Incentive: for students who follow a secondary or primary Initial Teacher Training programme in Wales, full time or part time and identify as an ethnic minority student.
Mentoring Schemes

Dysgu'r Dyfodol - mentoring scheme for students who want to know more about a career as a teacher

Dysgu’r Dyfodol is a scheme that provides mentoring sessions and work experience to university students who may be interested in a career as a schoolteacher (every subject except BA Education).