Education Schools and Programs in The United Kingdom

Education Studies in The United Kingdom

Education can be studied in the United Kingdom in two different ways. One is an academic degree about education itself: how people learn, how school systems work and how policy is made. The other is teacher training, which leads to a professional status and includes placements in schools. The difference matters, because only teacher training qualifies a graduate to teach in state schools. Education policy is also devolved: the rules below on qualified teacher status apply to England, and Scotland has its own registration body.

This directory lists 37 schools for the subject in the United Kingdom. London has the most, followed by Brighton, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Academic degrees in education

A bachelor's degree in education or education studies normally takes three years in England. The BA (Hons) Education at the University of York is an example: it lasts 3 years full-time, starts with core modules on key concepts and theories and ends with a research project. The university states clearly that the course does not qualify the student as a teacher, although it is good preparation for postgraduate study, including teacher training and educational research.

Teacher training and qualified teacher status

In England, qualified teacher status (QTS) is needed to teach in most primary, secondary and special schools. It is a legal requirement in maintained schools; academies, free schools and private schools can employ teachers without it. QTS can be obtained through undergraduate or postgraduate teacher training:

• Undergraduate degree with QTS: three years in the examples from England. At the University of Sussex, students of Primary and Early Years Education spend at least 120 days in a school during the degree and are recommended for QTS at the end. The University of Brighton's Primary Education (5-11 years) degree has school placements in each year
• Postgraduate teacher training: for people who already have a bachelor's degree. It usually takes 9 months full-time, or 18 to 24 months part-time. Many courses also award a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE), which can carry up to 60 credits at master's level

A PGCE is not required to be a qualified teacher in England, and a PGCE without QTS does not qualify the holder to teach in most schools, so applicants should check what a course awards. The Department for Education also offers international qualified teacher status (iQTS), which is gained outside the UK and leads automatically to QTS.

In Scotland, teaching degrees take four years. The BA Primary Education at the University of Strathclyde is accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland and meets the requirement for provisional registration with that body.

Admission and language

Applications for full-time undergraduate courses go through UCAS, with a maximum of five choices. The equal consideration date for most courses starting in 2027 is 13 January 2027. Typical A-level offers are BBB at York, BBB-BBC at Sussex and BBB-CCC at Brighton. Equivalent qualifications from other countries can be used, and UK ENIC issues statements that compare foreign qualifications with UK ones.

Postgraduate teacher training in England usually requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent, plus GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or equivalent qualifications in English and maths, and in science for primary teaching. Teaching is in English. For a Student visa, degree-level study requires English equivalent to CEFR level B2; the University of York asks for IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component. The visa must be sponsored by the course provider.

Costs and funding

Each university sets its own tuition fees. For 2027 entry, the BA Education at York costs £10,050 a year for UK students and £27,800 for international students; Sussex lists £24,200 a year for international students on its primary teaching degree.

According to the Department for Education, teacher training fees for non-UK citizens vary between providers, with an average of £15,000 and a maximum of about £36,000. Most non-UK citizens are not eligible for financial support from the UK government for teacher training. Students who need a visa must also show funds of £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month elsewhere, for up to 9 months.

Recognition and careers

Teachers who qualified outside the UK follow a different path: the Department for Education publishes separate routes to QTS for them. In the other direction, anyone who wants to teach abroad with QTS should check with the organisation that regulates teachers in that country whether it is recognised and whether further qualifications are required. This applies to students who plan to return to Spain or Latin America.

Graduates of a UK bachelor's or postgraduate degree can apply for a Graduate visa, which lasts 2 years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026 and 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027.

Frequently asked questions

Does a degree in education make me a teacher?

Not by itself. An academic degree such as the BA Education at the University of York does not qualify the graduate as a teacher. A course that leads to qualified teacher status is needed to teach in most schools in England.

What is the difference between QTS and a PGCE?

QTS is the professional status needed to teach in most schools in England. A PGCE is an academic qualification that many teacher training courses award together with QTS, but it is not required.

Can international students get funding for teacher training?

Most non-UK citizens are not eligible for financial support from the UK government. Fees for non-UK citizens average £15,000, according to the Department for Education.