If you are planning a career in education then you will more than likely have considered which qualifications you will need to get you into your dream job. There are numerous courses to choose from so you will need to think about which ones will be appropriate for you.
Universities offer a range of undergraduate-level courses that are geared towards teaching. These include foundation courses, teacher training courses, enhanced knowledge courses for subjects like Science and Maths, BA degree courses and PGCEs. Those who are aiming for a career in teaching will usually undertake a foundation degree followed by a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education). Ideally the undergraduate degree should be as relevant as possible although some people do decide on a career change following completion of a degree when they decide to undertake a PGCE.
For a career in education you will need a degree classification that is 2.2 or higher. A PGCE course typically takes one year to complete and is taught through study and practical classroom experience. You will need to decide whether you want to teach at primary or secondary level and once you have completed your PGCE you will receive a recommendation for a QTS (Qualified Teacher Status).
Of course teaching is not the only option for a career in education. Once you have completed your degree and have experience in teaching you may consider a postgraduate qualification like a Masters degree to get you where you need to be. Although a Masters in Education can lead to a classroom teaching role the course offers opportunities to train for other roles such as head teacher, school counsellor, school administrator, curriculum director or evaluation director.
Outside the school environment a Masters degree could help you progress towards a career as an educational consultant, educational researcher, corporate trainer or even a textbook author. Most teachers are in their profession because they have a passion for learning so there is no reason why they should not further their own study and set future goals. Undertaking a Masters degree requires hard work and commitment. You will gain respect from your colleagues and board members and hopefully progress to a better-paid and more demanding role.
There is a wide range of careers in education today so you will need to think about exactly where you want to be in five years time before deciding on a route to get there. Most teaching jobs require at least a second class degree but following that you will need to decide which postgraduate course is right for you.