Teacher degree apprenticeship: how England's route into teaching with a salary and a degree works

The government in England has published guidance on GOV.UK for organisations that want to offer the teacher degree apprenticeship (TDA), which combines an apprenticeship with an undergraduate degree for future teachers. The document is aimed at accredited initial teacher training (ITT) providers, lead partners and schools. It applies to England only.

How the programme works

The TDA is a new route into teaching in primary or secondary schools. Trainees work as apprentices in a school and, on completion, receive an undergraduate degree and qualified teacher status (QTS).

According to the guidance, the programme typically lasts 45 months. Applications could be made from autumn 2024, with training due to begin in autumn 2025. The page was updated on 14 August 2026, but was first published on 12 December 2024.

All apprenticeships include off-the-job training. The department recommends that trainees spend an average of 40% of their time over four years on training towards their degree. The actual split may vary by year and by provider.

At the end there is an integrated end-point assessment. It confirms that the requirements of the apprenticeship standard and QTS have been met. QTS is recommended once the assessment and degree are completed.

Pay

The TDA is an employment-based training route, so existing pay structures apply. Throughout the course, trainees must be paid in line with the pay policy of the school that employs them.

Requirements for providers and schools

Only organisations that meet these conditions can offer the programme:

• they are degree-awarding institutions or accredited ITT providers,
• they are on the apprenticeship provider and assessment register (APAR).

A partnership between an ITT provider and a degree-awarding institution is also possible. In that case, a provider offering only the teacher training element does not need to award degrees itself. Before the apprenticeship starts, the provider must have evidence that the apprentice has an agreement with the employer, and a training plan agreed with the apprentice and the employer.

A school must choose an ITT provider or partner to deliver the off-the-job training. That provider must be on the APAR. Accredited providers advertise courses together with employing schools through "Find teacher training courses". The employing school does not need to be on the register, unless it delivers part of the training itself and wants to claim funding for it.

Funding

The TDA standard has been costed at £27,000. An employer can use up to that amount from its apprenticeship service account. The funds can also support recruitment and course development. The provider must agree the total cost of training and assessment with the employer.

What this means for you

The guidance is aimed mainly at providers and schools rather than candidates. It may still interest people living in England who are considering a teaching career and would prefer to earn a degree while working in a school and being paid. Information for candidates is available on the Get Into Teaching website. The guidance does not describe entry requirements or residency rules, so conditions of admission should be checked in the apprenticeship standard and with the individual provider. The rules do not apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.