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Becoming a teacher

If you want to become a teacher, Open University (OU) degrees could be your springboard onto a postgraduate teacher education course with an external provider. 

And whether doing an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) qualification at undergraduate or postgraduate level with a third party provider, particular OU modules may count for the Maths and / or English entry requirements.

Initial Teacher Education: Maths and English requirements

All Initial Teacher Education providers will require you to have qualifications equivalent to Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level 6 in English, and level 5 in Maths, for example grade C in Higher English and National 5 Maths.

For teacher education programmes beginning in the academic year 2025/26 and beyond, the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) have cited the following Open University courses, with Pass Grade 4 or above, as suitable equivalent qualifications as entry requirements: 

A list of current ITE programmes and providers can be found on the GTCS website. 

Ahead of your OU studies, please check with your chosen ITE provider that they are aware that the GTCS will accept these OU modules as Maths and / or English qualification equivalents and make this explicit in any subsequent application form.

ITE providers are responsible for assessing equivalence of qualifications in terms of entry to teacher education programmes. Any enquiries about the acceptability of qualifications should be directed to the provider. When necessary, ITE providers will ask the GTCS for advice. 

Find out more from the General Teaching Council for Scotland, or via your chosen course provider’s website. 

Primary or secondary postgrad teaching routes and requirements

When considering your options: 

Two female teachers in conversation, walking down a corridorThe General Teaching Council for Scotland sets out regulations around what you need to study, depending on whether you are planning to be a primary or secondary teacher. 

Our Becoming a Teacher (Scotland) guide also has information about the different routes and requirements.  

Speak with the university where you plan to do your postgraduate teacher training qualification - the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education. They might have specific requirements that will help you decide which degree to complete with the Open University. 

Postgraduate study: primary

To become a primary school teacher, depending on the entry requirements for the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education of your choice, you may be interested in:

  • our Education Studies (Primary) degree which will give you a sound understanding of policy and practice in primary education, and help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to work collaboratively and equitably in a range of settings.
  • our Open degree, which allows you to create your own combination of modules. Some students decided to combine education focused modules with subject knowledge modules. 

Postgraduate study: secondary

To become a secondary school teacher, and to meet the subject requirements set out in the General Teaching Council for Scotland and OU guides above, you might:

  • enrol for a named degree in your subject of choice, for example the Open University BA Honours English literature and language to become an English teacher. You can search for named degrees on the Open University courses webpages. 
  • enrol on the Open Degree, which allows you to choose a range of modules across the university. You will need to ensure you meet the minimum subject requirements for Professional Graduate Diploma in Education entry but this option allows you to map a combination of modules you feel will benefit your learning and career the most. 

Is teaching for you? 

Want to explore further about what a teaching job involves? Our Becoming a teacher course can help you to decide if teaching is for you. If you decide to proceed, it will also assist you to start writing your application for initial teacher education.

Trainee teacher Jim McKaig shares his OU experience