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Teacher talking to students in a class
Study to become a teacher with The Open University in Wales, the only place to study either the part-time or salaried PGCE routes. Combine online learning with practical in-school experience over a two-year qualification, allowing you to balance study alongside your job or other life commitments.
Take your unique journey into teaching with the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at The Open University in Wales. With our innovative PGCE programme you will bring your skills, experience, and different perspectives to a career that will motivate and fulfil you.

Our two-year PGCE course will allow you to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for either primary or secondary school level and can be studied anywhere in Wales in either English or Welsh.

Our innovative PGCE programme blends supported online academic study with essential practical experience within schools.
There are two routes available:
If you’re already working in a school in a non-teaching role, the salaried route allows you to study to become a teacher alongside your existing duties. This means you can continue to work in your school and the costs of study are supported by a training grant from the Welsh Government. Even if you don’t work in a school but you are looking to become a teacher, you can still apply for the salaried route in secondary shortage subjects.
To find out more about this route visit our website.
If you're a career changer, or have parental or caring responsibilities, then our part-time route could help you achieve a greater work-life balance whilst you train to become a teacher. You can balance your life commitments alongside studying and part-time practical teaching experience in a school. We currently offer the following age phases or subjects:
To find out more about this route visit our website.
Support is available at every step of your journey, from application to graduation. Your university-based learning and teaching will be via the virtual learning environment, and you will be supported by a Curriculum Tutor who’ll be a specialist in your chosen field. During school-based practice learning, you will be supported by a mentor and school coordinator who’ll provide support and practical advice on your journey into teaching.
Join us on 12 May, at 18:00 as we discuss how the PGCE with The Open University works and how you can apply for September 2026.

1 minute 4 seconds
Watch our video to find out how you could become a teacher with The Open University in Wales.
Applications for September 2026 are now open.
To apply for our programme, please complete this application form. To find out more about the programme, entry requirements and application process visit our website.
Before you apply make sure you've read both the application guidance document and our frequently asked questions.
You can attend a drop-in session with our dedicated PGCE Wales Team, who are available to support you on your journey. Sessions take place every Tuesday at 16:30. Please note that you will enter a virtual lobby upon joining and may need to wait briefly to be admitted, depending on attendance. Click here to access the Microsoft Teams drop-in session.
1 minute 19 seconds
Hear how Emma went from Learning Support Assistant to Secondary Maths Teacher thanks to the salaried PGCE route.
Michael at graduation event
I've always lived my life through Welsh, so teaching in Welsh is really important to me.