The difference between PGCE and QTS can confuse anyone exploring teaching qualifications in the UK. Both often appear on the same course page, but they serve different purposes. A PGCE is an academic qualification, while QTS is the professional status you need to teach in most state schools in England.
Some people even apply for teacher training without checking if their course offers a PGCE, QTS, or both. Here at On The Culture, we help aspiring teachers understand their qualification options before choosing a training route.
This guide explains each training route and its costs. You’ll also learn how much classroom time each option involves.
PGCE vs QTS: What Each Term Means for You
A PGCE and QTS serve different purposes in your teaching career, even though they often appear together. Once you know what each one offers, you can choose the right training route.
The next three sections explain what each qualification means and how they differ.
PGCE: The Academic Qualification Explained
A PGCE stands for Postgraduate Certificate in Education. It’s a university-awarded qualification that you can study for after completing your first degree.
It also carries 60 credits at master’s level, and those credits count toward a full master’s degree later.
As part of the course, you’ll study teaching theory, assessment and child development. Universities assess your academic work through written assignments rather than lesson observations. Most providers in England offer a PGCE alongside teacher training, though the certificate alone doesn’t qualify you to teach.
QTS: The Status You Need to Become a Teacher in England
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) confirms you’re qualified to teach in most state schools in England. You’ll usually need it to secure a permanent teaching position in these schools.
You earn the status by meeting the Teachers’ Standards while a mentor watches you teach across two school placements.
The Teaching Regulation Agency records QTS on a public register, so any school can check it before an interview. Headteachers can check this register when they shortlist candidates, so your QTS status plays an important role in their hiring decisions.
Can You Hold Both Teaching Qualifications UK Providers Award?
Most trainees ask if they need both qualifications, and many training courses offer them together. University-led training often lets you earn a PGCE and gain QTS within the same year.
But a school-based route can award QTS alone. We’ve seen career changers add the PGCE credits later through part-time study (most of them finish that top-up within one extra year).
Comparing Teacher Training Routes: PGCE versus QTS on Cost and Time
Cost is one of the main differences between these two teacher training routes. Fees, funding options and course length can vary depending on whether your training includes a PGCE.
The four points below will help you compare your options:
| Comparison point | PGCE | QTS |
|---|---|---|
| Typical tuition fee | £9,535 for the 2025/26 year | £0 on salaried school-based training |
| Time to complete | 9 to 12 months full-time | 9 months, or 2 terms assessment-only |
| Master’s credits earned | 60 credits at level 7 | No academic credits |
| Recognition outside England | Accepted by many international schools | Required for English state schools only |
Training providers may charge different fees, so check their fee tables before you apply. A PGCE can offer an advantage if you plan to teach overseas.
However, a salaried QTS route may suit you better if you can’t afford to study without an income. You can find funding details on each provider’s website (funding rules usually change at the start of every academic year).
Which Gives More Practical Classroom Experience: A PGCE or QTS-Only Route?
The time you spend in the classroom can affect how prepared you feel when you start teaching. Both routes offer practical classroom experience, but the balance between academic study and teaching practice can differ.
You’ll notice three main differences in the classroom experience of each route:
- Placement Hours: Each route requires a minimum of 120 days in school. PGCE trainees split those days around university seminars and assignment deadlines, while QTS-only trainees run them alongside paid classroom work.
- Mentor Contact: On a PGCE course, you’ll receive support from a school mentor and a university tutor who assesses your written work. QTS-only trainees also meet regularly with a mentor to review their progress against teaching standards.
- Teaching Practice Depth: PGCE trainees usually observe lessons before they start teaching independently. Salaried QTS trainees often take responsibility for their own classes earlier in the course.
Your starting confidence influences which route feels more suitable. Theory eases you in on a PGCE, and the QTS-only route drops you into teaching practice straight away. Neither pace shortens those 120 days.
How Does the Difference Between PGCE and QTS Affect Your Teaching Career?
Your long-term career goals should guide your choice of teacher training route. Many career changers don’t realise how this decision can affect their future opportunities (especially if they plan to teach abroad).
Consider a teacher with a PGCE who applies to an international school in Dubai. The school may ask for proof of their 60 master’s-level credits. In the United States, QTS alone doesn’t qualify you to teach, as each state has its own licensing rules.
If you plan to take on a leadership role in England, QTS and a few years of teaching experience can help you progress. And after three years, you may be ready to apply for roles like head of department, depending on your experience.
With your career goals in mind, take time to compare what each training provider offers. Course descriptions often focus on the benefits, so check the fees and qualification details yourself.
You can also use the Get Into Teaching website to compare training routes. A quick warning, though: if you use an external training site, check each provider’s Privacy Policy before sharing personal details.
Take Your First Step Into Teacher Training
A PGCE gives you academic credits, while QTS confirms you’re qualified to teach in most state schools in England. Once you understand this difference, it’s easier to decide which qualification suits your career goals.
If you plan to teach abroad within five years, a PGCE will give you more options when applying to international schools. On the other hand, if you need an income during training, a salaried QTS-only route could be a better fit.
At On The Culture, we share helpful resources to guide you through your teacher training options and career choices. Contact us for guidance on your application.