Higher and Degree Apprenticeships / Available Apprenticeships / Teacher Degree Apprenticeship in Secondary Education

About the course

A Teacher Degree Apprenticeship is a full-time four-year academic programme which combines 60% on the job professional development and 40% undergraduate study. The award aim for this programme is a BA (Hons) in Education Studies with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in Secondary Education.

Apprentices will be employed by a secondary school in a full-time capacity throughout the four years.

An indicative week for the apprentice will be 3-days at school and 2-days ‘off the job’ at DMU or at Leicester and Leicestershire SCITT; this may vary depending on school and university term times.

Each apprentice will be assigned a school-based mentor and an academic mentor, they will also receive teacher training support from the Leicester and Leicestershire SCITT and have access to the extensive academic and pastoral support services at DMU.

Apprentices must find their own employment in a school and are not eligible to apply until an employing school can provide evidenced support for the apprenticeship.

Graduates of the TDA will have Qualified Teacher Status with subject specialism and will be eligible to apply directly for jobs as teachers in the secondary sector.

For more information please visit Get Into Teaching GOV.UK.

To express your interest and find out more please email us at TDAadmin@dmu.ac.uk.

Open evenings and events

Open evenings and events for those interested in applying in 2027/28 as well as for potential employers will be advertised here.

Ready to find out how this programme can benefit you?

Take your next steps

What you will study

University-based study will be 2-days per week, taught in blocks of 7-weeks, with one module studied at a time.

  • Four modules will be studied in Years 1 and 2
  • Two modules will be studied in Years 3 and 4

Delivery will be through lectures, workshops, and seminars, supported by online material.

Teacher education will be delivered by the Leicester and Leicestershire SCITT, as will specialist subject knowledge for teaching in your chosen secondary area.

N.B The information below is a guideline only and course content is subject to validation.

For more information about the BA Education Studies programme please visit Education Studies BA Hons

In year one you will study 4 modules worth 120 credits in total.

Indicative content for Year 1 includes:

  • Education theories
  • History of education
  • Exploring policy
  • Contemporary childhood and social justice
  • Aspects of identity
  • Inclusion and diversity

PLUS

One integrated teacher training module:

  • Specialist subject knowledge for teaching course
  • Introduction to the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours for QTS

In year 2 you will study 4 modules worth 120 credits in total.

Indicative content for Year 2 includes:

  • Problem-based learning
  • Contemporary issues in childhood and education
  • Researching methods
  • Digital education
  • The importance of music and the arts in education
  • Theories of learning and well-being
  • Special Educational Need, Disability and Neurodiversity in a range of educational contexts
  • Sustainability and environmental pedagogy

PLUS

One integrated teacher training module:

  • Developing the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours for QTS
  • Specialist subject knowledge enhancement course

In year 3 you will study 2 DMU modules worth 60 credits in total.

Indicative content for Year 3 includes:

  • A Reflection on Practice module which supports apprentices to undertake an alternative school placement
  • A choice of one other level 6 module (such as Gender in Education, Co-curriculum Design)

PLUS

  • Second school placement experience (6 weeks)
  • 1 QTS module with SCITT

In year 4 you will study 2 DMU modules worth 60 credits in total.

  • Either a fieldwork or critical review dissertation
  • A choice of one other level 6 module (such as Radical Education, Creativity in Education or Global & Comparative Education)

PLUS

  • 1 QTS modules with SCITT including subject specialism pedagogy and ITTECF
  • Final school assessment of practice

Assessment

Each block or ‘module’ is assessed separately. Assessments include portfolios, presentations, essays, reports, micro-teaches, podcast, posters, CPD brochures, digital resources, policy analysis, research proposal, dissertation and creative artefacts. The total BA degree is 360 credits.

The QTS element of the TDA is assessed through formal and informal observations of teaching practice and a portfolio of evidence compiled by the student against the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours of the apprenticeship standard which aligns with the Teacher Standards.

Both elements of the programme must be passed for the qualification to be awarded.

Accreditation

The Teacher Degree Apprenticeship at DMU is in partnership with Leicester and Leicestershire SCITT. The Leicester and Leicestershire SCITT have been graded an Outstanding ITT provider by Ofsted (2023).

Leicestershire Secondary SCITT Teacher Training | TMET Leicester MAT

Entry Requirements

In order to qualify for this programme the applicant must find themselves employment in a school which has agreed to take them on as a teacher apprentice. DMU cannot place apprentices in schools.

Teacher Degree Apprenticeships are open to anyone who would like to gain a degree and become a qualified teacher. This includes, but is not limited to, teaching assistants, school leavers or people looking to change careers.

Following guidance from the DfE, on the Get into Teaching website, eligibility to apply for a TDA will include being:

  • a resident of England for the last 3 years or more

To meet the academic requirements for the TDA, you must have:

  • GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English and Maths*
  • An A level grade C or equivalent in the subject you wish to teach (exceptions apply**)
  • A minimum of 104 UCAS points from 2 or more A levels
  • T Levels - Merit
  • BTEC - BTEC National Diploma — Distinction/Merit/Merit or BTEC Extended Diploma — Distinction/Merit/Merit
  • Alternative qualifications include: Access to HE Diploma, Pass in QAA accredited Access to HE overall 104 UCAS tariff with at least 30 Level 3 credits at Merit.

* Candidates without a GCSE C/4 in Maths will be considered, as long as they meet all other criteria and agree to successfully completed the required GCSE before the end of Year 2.

**For PE, Modern Languages and Creative Arts subjects relevant prior experience and skills will be considered on a case by case basis.

Applicants will also be required to obtain an enhanced DBS certificate upon entry to the course.

It is strongly recommended that applicants have at least 2 terms volunteer/other experience in a secondary school setting or similar.

Apply for September 2027 entry

Please do not apply until you have secured a school to employ you.

Programme Leaders

Rachel Rouncefield (B.Ed, M.Ed Management of Community Education)

Senior Lecturer in Education, Secondary TDA programme lead

Rachel comes from practice both in the classroom and in the community and she has experience of leading and managing. She has integrated professional teams in local authorities, community schools and specialist technology colleges. Rachel was also part of the team which devised and developed the successful TDA in primary education at DMU.

Having joined DMU staff in 2020 Rachel is an enthusiastic advocate of academic research into professional and practice issues and, on the back of this research into co-creative methodology, utilises collaborative and co-creative approaches wherever possible. Rachel teaches on the BA Education Studies programme and leads the level 6 ‘Creativity in education’ module.

Dr Julie Summers (BA, PhD, PGCE)

Senior Lecturer in Education, Programme Lead for TDA in Primary Education

Prior to becoming a university lecturer in 2023 Julie worked for 18 years as a secondary school MFL teacher. She has a wealth of practical experience in teaching and learning and has also been both a senior lead practitioner and a head of department. Her current research interests are around professional development and teacher training policy, and multilingualism in education. Julie is also the programme leader for the successful TDA in primary education. She teaches on a range of different undergraduate modules on the BA Education Studies programme and leads the level 6 Reflection on Practice component.

Talitha Bird (BA, MA, PGCE)

Associate Professor and Head of Division for Education

Talitha is a Social Scientist and educator with an academic focus on approaches to learning which empower learners to address inequality. Talitha currently leads Radical Education, a Level 6 module which explores alternative and progressive education through the lens of Critical pedagogy. She is also the Education for Sustainable Development [ESD] Faculty Representative for Health and Life Sciences, and a DMU SDG Fellow for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions [16]. Talitha's research background is primarily in Critical theory and Critical pedagogy, with a special interest in gender, marginalised motherhood, and lifelong learning. Talitha is also interested in creative and collaborative research approaches and methods, such as Participatory Action Research, photovoice, and the use of Forum Theatre.

Career pathways and employability

There is a national shortage of qualified teachers in secondary education across a range of subject specialisms. As a teacher apprentice you will be employed by a school during your degree.

This pathway will enable you to work immediately as a classroom teacher in any secondary school upon graduation.

Teaching is a rewarding career with a number of potential opportunities for progression into specialist areas such as SEND, curriculum development, training, pastoral and leadership roles.

Fees and funding

All tuition fees for the TDA are fully funded (Skills England, 2024).

The salary you’ll earn as a TDA trainee will depend on the type of school you work in and where the school is.

If you’re employed in a maintained school (schools funded by local authorities) as a TDA trainee, you’ll be paid on the unqualified teacher pay range.

Non-maintained schools (for example, academies, independent schools and private schools) can set their own pay, but often follow the same pay ranges.

Take your next steps

If you are an employer

TDAs are for future thinking schools who wish to invest in and retain dedicated teaching staff for the long-term. Offering apprenticeships is a great way to attract and retain employees, helping develop their skills and knowledge.

The TDA would be an ideal route for those who have experience working (for example, as a TA) in a school and would like to become a qualified teacher. As the tuition and training is funded this would be at no extra cost to the school, who will continue to employ them as an apprentice.

A school may also be approached by talented and motivated school leavers who would not otherwise be able to consider studying for a degree and entering the teaching profession.

Investment in such individuals has many benefits: a guaranteed employee for a minimum of 4 years, a chance to train and develop a teacher in a particular setting, CPD opportunities for existing staff as mentors, a 3-way relationship with the SCITT team and the Education Studies team at DMU which offers a wealth of experience and support for both staff and apprentices.

If you’re interested in taking on a new apprentice or upskilling existing staff members, contact us to find out more: TDAadmin@dmu.ac.uk.

We are happy to arrange a visit to talk to your school and potential applicants at your convenience.

If you are an aspiring apprentice

Considering a degree apprenticeship but already employed? Our degree apprenticeships are employer-led, meaning your school or trust invests in your development. Discuss this exciting opportunity with your employer and once you’ve got the go-ahead, contact us to find out more: TDAadmin@dmu.ac.uk

If you’d like us to contact your employer on your behalf, just reach out with your employer’s details and permission to contact and we’ll take it from there.

We'll provide clear guidance to both you and your employer, walking you through the application process and everything that comes after.

To express your interest and find out more please email us at TDAadmin@dmu.ac.uk or come to our next open day.

Applications should be made through DfE Apply. Please do not apply until you have secured employment as a teacher apprentice with a school for September 2027.

The school you work in should be no more than an hour’s commute from Leicester since you will be required to attend the university in person and the team need to be able to make visits to you easily.

Please see our Fact Sheet for a summary of key information for apprentices and employers.

Key facts

Course title

Teacher Degree Apprenticeship in Secondary Education

Award

Level 6 BA Education Studies with Qualified Teacher Status

Duration

4 years

Entry requirements

104 UCAS points from at least 2 A levels, T levels (merit), BTEC (merit), GCSE grade 4 or above in Maths and English and Science

Fees

Fully funded