Subject enhancement/extension courses
Pre-initial teacher training enhancement and extension courses are intensive programmes for graduates who need to develop a greater depth of subject understanding prior to training for qualified teacher status.
Who are they for?
Available in England and in chemistry, mathematics, physics (26 week enhancement courses) and French or German (14 week extension courses), these courses are for graduates who are interested in teaching but who need to develop their subject knowledge to teach secondary pupils. In Wales there are alternative courses - call the Teaching Information Line to find out more about these.
Bursary available
While on the course you will receive a bursary of £225 per week. For more information contact a course provider in your region. |
Enhancement courses are suitable for graduates with experience of the subject to at least A-level standard. This could be through holding an A-level in the subject, having an element of it in your degree course and/or occupational experience of the subject.
Modern languages extension courses are specifically designed to help graduates who have one language at degree standard, or are native speakers, to develop capability in teaching either French or German up to key stage 3 (ages 12-14).
This is because many schools require teachers to teach two languages. If you have no prior experience of the language, you will receive extra tuition and support as appropriate.
Key facts and case studies
Please follow the links below to view key facts and case studies about your chosen subject.
Applying for enhancement/extension courses
If you think you need to go on an enhancement or extension course, you should first apply to an initial teacher training (ITT) course. If the course provider considers you to have the attributes to make a good teacher, you will be offered a conditional ITT place and referred to the enhancement/extension course provider in your region. It is also a good idea to contact the enhancement/extension course provider in your region directly.
If you are applying for a PGCE, you can indicate on your application form that you are interested in doing a subject enhancement/extension course.
To find out more about a course you can:
- read useful key facts and case studies
- call your local enhancement/extension course provider directly
- speak to one of our Teaching Information Line consultants on 0845 6000 991.
After your enhancement/extension course
Upon your successful completion of one of these courses, you are expected to go straight into an initial teacher training course leading to qualified teacher status (QTS). Your options in this respect will be:
Bursary
You will not have to pay any fees to complete an enhancement or extension course. You will receive a bursary of £225 a week while on the course. You may well be required to contribute towards the fees for your subsequent initial teacher training, but to help you with this there is additional funding available for trainee teachers on approved postgraduate routes.
Becoming a teacher
