If you’re considering a career in teaching in Wales you will need to get qualified teacher status (QTS) by studying on a programme of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) accredited by us, through our ITE Accreditation Board.
ITE programmes provide professional education and development of student teachers. They prepare them for work in schools in Wales and provide the foundation for career long professional learning. These programmes are based on learning that is rigorously practical and intellectually challenging, and try to make sure that teachers are committed to excellence, professionalism, and high quality teaching.
Programmes available from 2019/20
Primary: undergraduate
Name of partnership | Programme title | Accreditation expiry date |
Cardiff Partnership for ITE | BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS | August 2024 |
Yr Athrofa: Professional Learning Partnership | BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS | August 2024 |
Primary: postgraduate
Name of partnership | Programme title | Accreditation expiry date |
Aberystwyth ITE Partnership | PGCE | August 2024 |
Cardiff Partnership for ITE | PGCE Primary | August 2024 |
Yr Athrofa: Professional Learning Partnership | PGCE with QTS | August 2024 |
Secondary: postgraduate
Name of partnership | Programme title | Accreditation expiry date |
Aberystwyth ITE Partnership | PGCE | August 2024 |
Cardiff Partnership for ITE | PGCE Secondary | August 2024 |
Yr Athrofa: Professional Learning Partnership | PGCE with QTS | August 2024 |
Programmes available from 2020/21
Primary: undergraduate
Name of partnership | Programme title | Accreditation expiry date |
University of South Wales ITE Partnership | BA (Hons) Primary ITE with QTS | August 2025 |
Secondary: undergraduate
Name of partnership | Programme title | Accreditation expiry date |
Swansea University Schools Partnership | PGCE Secondary | August 2025 |
Alternative routes
Name of partnership | Programme title | Accreditation expiry date |
Open University Partnership | PGCE (Part-time) Primary and Secondary | March 2025 |
Open University Partnership | PGCE (Salaried route) Primary and Secondary | March 2025 |
Programmes available from 2021/22
Primary: undergraduate
Name of partnership | Programme title | Accreditation expiry date |
CaBan Bangor | BA Primary | August 2026 |
Primary: postgraduate
Name of partnership | Programme title | Accreditation expiry date |
CaBan Bangor | PGCE Primary | August 2026 |
Secondary: postgraduate
Name of partnership | Programme title | Accreditation expiry date |
CaBan Bangor | PGCE Secondary | August 2026 |
Programmes available from 2022/23
Primary: postgraduate
Name of partnership | Programme title | Accreditation expiry date |
University of South Wales ITE Partnership | PGCE Primary ITE with QTS | August 2027 |
Swansea University Schools Partnership | PGCE Primary | August 2027 |
Monitoring ITE programmes
All ITE programmes offered by partnerships in Wales are assessed, evaluated, and monitored against the Welsh Government’s Criteria for the accreditation of initial teacher education programmes in Wales.
The monitoring guidance outlines the approach before, during and after any monitoring activity.
Estyn and the EWC will share information provided by the partnership for inspection or accreditation/monitoring, to both minimise unnecessary burden for the partnerships, and to inform and drive improvements within the sector. Representatives from both EWC and Estyn will form part of the feedback sessions for accreditation, monitoring and inspection visits. Both organisations are also informed of the outcomes of these sessions in line with our information sharing protocols. Information is shared in this way to both help improve the quality of Initial Teacher Education provision and minimise unnecessary burden for partnerships.