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How to become a teacher in Scotland

Teaching in Scotland works a little differently from the rest of the UK. This guide covers the routes to qualifying, registering with the GTCS, how training is funded, and the induction year that follows.

To teach in a Scottish state school you must hold a recognised teaching qualification and be registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). If you already have a degree, the one-year PGDE is usually the fastest way in; if you don’t, an undergraduate degree with a teaching qualification builds it over four years. The official starting point for advice is Teach in Scotland.

The routes to qualifying

Undergraduate degree with a teaching qualification

School leavers / those without a degree

A four-year degree (such as an MA or BEd) that combines a subject with initial teacher education and leads to a teaching qualification — common for primary, and available for some secondary subjects.

Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)

Graduates — the most common route

If you already have a degree, the PGDE is a one-year postgraduate course for primary or secondary teaching. (Scotland uses the PGDE rather than the PGCE used in England.)

Combined / concurrent degrees

Secondary subject specialists

Some universities offer degrees that combine a secondary subject with education, letting you qualify to teach that subject on graduation.

Part-time, distance and career-change routes

Career changers

Part-time and distance-learning PGDE options, plus targeted routes and bursaries for career changers in priority subjects such as STEM, widen access for people already in work.

Entry requirements

  • • A degree, for the postgraduate PGDE route.
  • • English and Maths at National 5 (or equivalent) — Maths is especially important for primary.
  • • Enough relevant subject credits for the subject you want to teach, if training for secondary.
  • • A PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) scheme check.

Exact requirements vary by university — check each course and the GTCS guidance.

Funding your training

Eligible students can have tuition fees paid and apply for living-cost support through the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). Targeted bursaries are also available for career changers training in priority subjects such as STEM — current amounts are set each year, so check Teach in Scotland for the latest.

How to apply

Most initial teacher education courses are applied for through UCAS. Teach in Scotland offers guidance on choosing a route and preparing your application.

After you qualify: the induction year

New teachers gain provisional GTCS registration and then complete a one-year induction — most through the Teacher Induction Scheme, a guaranteed salaried training post with a reduced timetable and a mentor. Completing induction leads to full GTCS registration. From there you can browse teaching jobs across Scotland, see typical pay in our Scotland salary guide, and explore which councils are hiring.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register with the GTCS to teach in Scotland?
Yes. Everyone teaching in a Scottish state school must register with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). You gain provisional registration when you qualify, and full registration after completing your induction (probation) year.
What is a PGDE, and how is it different from a PGCE?
The PGDE (Professional Graduate Diploma in Education) is Scotland’s one-year postgraduate teacher-training qualification. It’s the Scottish equivalent of the PGCE used in England — if you have a degree, it’s usually the quickest route.
What qualifications do I need?
You’ll normally need a degree (for the PGDE), plus English and Maths at National 5 (or equivalent) — Maths is particularly important for primary. Secondary applicants also need enough relevant subject credits in the subject they want to teach. Requirements vary by university.
How long does it take?
About one year full-time for the PGDE if you already have a degree, or four years for an undergraduate degree with a teaching qualification. You then complete a one-year induction before gaining full GTCS registration.
What is the Teacher Induction Scheme?
After qualifying, most new teachers join the Teacher Induction Scheme — a guaranteed one-year training post in a Scottish school with a reduced timetable and a mentor. Completing it leads to full GTCS registration. There is also a Flexible Route for those who can’t take a guaranteed post.
Can I teach in Scotland if I trained in England?
Qualified teachers from elsewhere in the UK can usually teach in Scotland, but you must still apply to register with the GTCS, which assesses your qualifications against Scottish requirements.

Looking for a teaching post in Scotland?

Browse live vacancies from councils across Scotland.

Browse teaching jobs

This guide is general information, not official careers advice — always check current requirements and funding with Teach in Scotland and the GTCS. Last updated November 2026.