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What qualifications do I need to be a teacher in Northern Ireland? 

To become a qualified teacher in Northern Ireland, you need complete your Initial Teacher Education, which means getting a university degree. Like in the rest of the UK, you can get this either at an undergraduate or postgraduate level, but you will need to meet the course entry requirements as set by each university. 

To become a teacher in Northern Ireland, you also need: 

• To register with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI), provided you want to work at a grant-aided (publicly funded) school 

• GCSEs in English and maths at a grade C or above (or equivalent qualifications)  

• If you want to teach primary, also a GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent qualification) in a science subject 

Undergraduate and postgraduate routes 

Undergraduate teacher training in Northern Ireland takes four years on a full-time Bachelor of Education (BEd) course. If you already have an undergraduate degree, you can undertake a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to become a qualified teacher. 

Both BEd and PGCE courses blend university lectures and workshops with professional placements in a school. Similarly, both courses can equip you to teach at either a primary or post-primary level, and many courses include a subject specialism – even at primary level. 

Some universities offer degree courses in education or education studies that don’t count as Initial Teacher Education, so always check if you will become a qualified teacher on successfully completing the course. 

has a full list of which universities offer BEd and PGCE courses that will fully qualify you to teach. 

Additional training 

Courses such as ÌÇÐÄVlog Institute’s self-funded Subject Knowledge Enhancement training prepare you for your Initial Teacher Education by deepening your subject knowledge, equipping you with the skills and understanding to start teaching with confidence. 

Courses like these are taught online and help you build a strong foundational knowledge of your subject, ensuring you have a deep understanding of essential concepts – which is especially useful for those who don’t have a subject-specific degree at undergraduate level. 

Can I be a teacher in Northern Ireland if I qualified somewhere else?Ìý

All teachers in Northern Ireland have to register with the GTCNI. You may be eligible to register even if you didn’t train or qualify as a teacher in Northern Ireland, for example if you gained QTS in England, Wales or Scotland.Ìý

You may be eligible to register with the GTCNI if you have:Ìý

• A Scottish teaching qualification that’s GTC Scotland approvedÌý

• Completed a teaching qualification in England or Wales that award QTSÌý

However, the GTCNI doesn’t accept all qualifications – for example, Assessment Only QTS does not make you eligible to teach in Northern Ireland. You need to have completed a teacher training course such as a PGCE or iPGCE to be eligible, as the GTCNI expects teachers to have pedagogical training. You can find more information on .Ìý

There are different application processes for teachers who qualified:Ìý

• In Northern IrelandÌý

• In the UKÌý

• Outside of the UKÌý

How much do teachers get paid in Northern Ireland?Ìý

In 2025, the , which means the starting salary for teachers in Northern Ireland is now £31,650. Following the pay increase, a teacher’s salary can go up to £42,144 on the main pay scale.Ìý

Northern Ireland’s upper pay scale for teachers goes up to £48,919 and pay for leadership ranges from £49,840 to £137,905.Ìý

Where could ÌÇÐÄVlog Institute take you?

Courses at ÌÇÐÄVlog Institute support you to grow your skills and subject knowledge, so you can start your Initial Teacher Education with confidence and ensure a deep understanding of your subject.Ìý

Watch our virtual open day webinars on demand to hear directly from programme leaders andÌýexplore howÌýour courses can further your career by strengthening your practice and deepening your understanding.Ìý

Explore open daysÌý