For an employment-based route into teaching, look no further than a Level 6 Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship (with QTS) at the University of Derby.
Studying for this apprenticeship provides access to experienced teaching, exceptional facilities and real-life learning designed to promote capability and competence ready for a career in education.
This apprenticeship focuses on personal and professional development, embedding key approaches to learning, behaviour, and reflection alongside critical issues such as developing professional practice in the classroom, decision-making and subject specialist/age phase knowledge.
Apprentices will:
- Benefit from on-the-job practical training and degree-level academic learning, including a significant blended element
- Learn with university-led training sessions with dedicated tutors
- Receive a recommendation for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) on a course ranked as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted - the highest possible accolade
- Join a recently revalidated programme where the content ensures your training is up to date and meets Ofsted standards
- Choose a route that matches your career aspirations - choose Early Years (3-7), Primary (5-11) or Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) which encompasses either Early Years (3-7) or Primary (5-11) or Secondary (11-19)
As part of the course, you will undertake three assessed teaching placements, two in your employing school and one in an alternative school and different key stages to broaden your experience. You will be supported throughout by expert colleagues including trained school mentors, subject specialists and link tutors.
You will also spend time at the University to develop your understanding of what it takes to become a great teacher.
At a time when rapid policy shifts are transforming the educational landscape, we will help you to meet the challenge of change in the modern classroom. Ours is an intellectually stimulating course which will keep you up to date with all the latest developments, including the Core Content Framework.
Advance your teaching career with our new specialist pathways
We’re proud to introduce two new routes within our Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship framework, designed to give you flexibility, choice, and impact in your teaching journey.
QTS-Only Pathway
Who is it for?
Professionals seeking Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) without any additional academic qualifications.
What you'll gain
A streamlined, practice-focused route to QTS, aligned with the Teachers’ Standards. This pathway is perfect for those who want to concentrate on classroom expertise and accelerate their teaching career. Weekly off-the-job learning enables you to embed theory into practice and reflect on the development of your knowledge, skills and behaviours for the classroom.
Key features
- Focused on practical teaching skills
- Meets all statutory requirements for QTS
- Ideal for career changers or experienced practitioners
- A 6-week placement in an alternative school in the Spring (to be arranged by the employing school)
SEND Pathway
Who is it for?
Teachers passionate about inclusive education and supporting learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
What you'll gain
Specialist module on adaptive teaching, accessibility, and pupil voice to enhance your ability to meet diverse learning needs. Equip yourself with advanced skills to make a real difference in SEND settings.
Key features
- In-depth focus on SEND strategies
- Practical tools for inclusive classrooms
- Supports career progression into specialist roles
- A 6-week placement in a mainstream school in the Spring (to be arranged by the employing school)
Who is this course for?
Our apprenticeship programme is suitable for individuals who are looking for an employment-based route into teaching. Ideally, you will have had experience in the classroom or a relevant educational setting.
Why choose us?
- Expert-led training: Delivered by highly regarded, experienced lecturers and practitioners
- Flexible learning: Designed to fit around your professional commitments
- Career impact: Enhance employability and confidence in diverse educational settings.
Discover the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship (with QTS) at Derby
Hear from our students and Programme Leader, Gemma Taylor, as they share how this apprenticeship supports professional growth, balances work-life commitments, and prepares you to make a lasting impact in the classroom.
What will you study
You'll study modules such as:
- Applied Professional Practice and Pedagogy 1 – focusing on your professional identity and accountability
- Applied Professional Practice and Pedagogy 2 – looking at understanding learners, raising aspirations
- Applied Professional Practice and Pedagogy 3 – with a lens on your subject or age phase
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
How you will learn
You will be recruited as an apprentice and based mainly in your employing school. You will also undertake a 6-week alternative setting placement. The placements and on-the-job learning will provide you with challenging and exciting experiences.
You'll also spend time at the University or attending workshops remotely, with access to our excellent facilities within the University and school-based expert colleagues, in order to develop your growing understanding of what it takes to become a great teacher.
How you're assessed
All assessments relate to your school placements; you will complete three assessed teaching placements, two in your main school and one in a second school, which will provide you with the challenging and exciting experience you need. You'll also have the opportunity to reflect on and discuss your developing subject knowledge, as well as developing your skills in research-informed practice. The assessments are varied in nature, from a critical incident report to a learner-focused case study and a poster presentation. You will also be required to compile an e-portfolio evidencing your progress throughout the apprenticeship. The critical incident report, case study and poster presentation are not required on the QTS only pathway, this is assessed by placement progress and portfolio evidence.
FAQs
If you have any questions, please see our FAQs page or feel free to get in touch.
Structure, Certificates and Assessment
The apprenticeship runs over a minimum of 10 months and consists of 4 days on the job training and 1 day off the job training er week. Usually the 4 days on the job training will consist of the apprentice being in an independent role as an unqualified teacher working four days per working week, delivering a subject specialism or teaching a specific age phase of children. The 1 day off the job training consists of a variety of activities which will usually take place one day per working week.
As part of the 4 days on the job training, apprentices must teach in two different school settings to ensure compliance with statutory Initial Teacher Training criteria and supporting advice issued by the Department for Education.
On completion of this apprenticeship, the individual will be confirmed to be a competent and qualified teacher, having already achieved QTS and entered the teaching profession. Having completed a programme of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and obtained QTS, the apprentice will complete the end-point assessment at the start of their Early Career Teacher (ECT) year. Once the QTS has been achieved, the end-point assessment must be completed within three months.
Employers:
The cost of the apprenticeship will normally be in line with the funding band £9,000, but individual agreements will be considered depending on student numbers and the involvement of employers.
Apprentices:
Fees will be paid by your employer with government funded support or through the apprenticeship levy.
This is a full-time apprenticeship with off-the-job learning, usually delivered one day per week. This can be face-to-face or online. The course will be delivered over 10 months from September to June.
Course updates
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
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