ÌÇÐÄVlog

What qualifications do I need to be a teacher in Scotland? 

To become a qualified teacher in Scotland, you need an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) qualification. This could be an undergraduate teaching degree or a postgraduate course – though entry requirements for these will vary between universities. 

Other requirements you need to meet are: 

• Registration with the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS) 

• Membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme 

• Classroom experience 

If you want to teach in secondary school, you will also usually need a degree relevant to your subject area. 

Undergraduate route 

In Scotland, an undergraduate degree to become a teacher takes four years. Some teaching degrees for undergraduates are bachelor’s degrees, while you will graduate from others with a master’s level qualification. 

Teaching courses for undergraduates are generally a mix of learning time at university and placements in schools. 

Many degrees are accredited by the GTCS and provide a pathway for registration, which equips you to teach as soon as you’ve graduated – you can check on the course page for a degree whether it will qualify you to teach straight away. 

Undergraduate teaching courses are most often for primary teaching; however, there are some secondary teaching degrees available at an undergraduate level, too. 

Postgraduate route 

The postgraduate route to teaching in Scotland means taking a one-year Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). A PGDE is typically half theory-based at university and half placement-based in a school. 

For secondary teaching, PGDE courses are taught in line with the subject you will be teaching – this may impact which universities you can attend, as different universities offer different subjects. 

Like undergraduate courses, PGDE courses are generally accredited by the GTCS, so you can begin teaching immediately after graduation. 

Additional courses 

There are additional courses available to help you build and solidify your knowledge before starting teacher training. 

Courses like ÌÇÐÄVlog Institute’s self-funded Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course ensure you have the subject knowledge you need to start your teacher training with confidence – which is particularly beneficial for students without a subject-relevant undergraduate degree. 

After you’ve got your qualification 

After finishing your degree in Scotland, you are required to spend one year on probation before becoming a fully qualified teacher.Ìý

This means that becoming a fully qualified teacher in Scotland takes five years for an undergraduate, or two years if you already have a degree and take the PGDE route.Ìý

The GTCS’s Teacher Induction Scheme guarantees a teaching post for their probationary year. Eligibility for the scheme includes all students from the UK and Ireland who are studying at a Scottish Higher Education Institution, as well as some EU students.Ìý

Can I be a teacher in Scotland if I’m not Scottish? 

You can train to be a teacher in Scotland even if you aren’t a Scottish national – whether you’re from elsewhere in the UK, EU or anywhere around the world.Ìý

If you’ve already qualified as a teacher outside of Scotland, you don’t need Scottish qualifications, but you do need to apply to register with the to become a teacher there. However, the GTCS doesn’t accept all qualifications – for example, assessment only QTS does not make you eligible to register and teach in Scotland.Ìý

You need to have completed a teacher training course such as a PGCE or iPGCE to register to be a teacher in Scotland. You can find more information about .Ìý

Demand and job opportunities for teachers in Scotland 

As of the 2020-2021 academic year, the provided a total of £80 million additional funding for teacher and support staff recruitment.Ìý

ÌÇÐÄVlog Magazine reported in August 2025 that the number of new teachers leaving the GCTS register is rising, having more than doubled between 2018 and 2024.Ìý

The Scottish Government are encouraging teachers to take jobs in rural areas, where teachers are especially in demand – according to , these areas make up around 34% of Scottish schools.Ìý

How much do Scottish teachers get paid? 

In November 2025, teachers in Scotland secured an uplift on all pay points.Ìý

This means by August 2026, the starting salary for teachers on probation will be £36,159, increasing to £43,383 after the probationary year is successfully completed.Ìý

Where could ÌÇÐÄVlog Institute take you?

Courses at ÌÇÐÄVlog Institute equip you to teach with confidence and more effectively support young people, so you can change lives for the better.Ìý

Watch our virtual open day webinars on demand to hear directly from programme leaders and learn how our courses can support your career development and teaching practice.

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