Welcome to the Teaching Community
The home of difference-makers
Our mission is to train the educators of tomorrow, moulding them into pillars of their community, shaping future generations.
We are one of the top providers of teacher training and education programmes in the UK, with an outstanding reputation that spans more than 100 years, from Charlotte Mason College in Ambleside to St Martin's College in Lancaster.
The University of Cumbria’s Institute of Education is based across three campuses: Lancaster, Carlisle (Fusehill Street), and London. It’s the central hub for our Education degrees and Teacher Training programmes, offering a wide range of options—from Undergraduate and PGCE routes to School-Based Training, Postgraduate study, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The Institute is also home to the Learning, Education and Development (LED) Research Centre—the university’s leading centre for education research and innovation.
Why train to teach with the University of Cumbria
A Silver rated university for student outcomes (Teaching Excellence Framework, 2023)
All our teaching courses are awarded with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). Accreditation for the award of QTS is through the University of Warwick. All academic awards are made by the University of Cumbria.
In the last 10 years we have trained over 10,000 new teachers.
OFSTED 'Good' provider of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) for both Primary and Secondary phases.
We are one of the largest providers of teacher training in the UK.
University in the Northwest and in the Top 10 in the UK for Graduates into employment or further study within 15 months (97% of Graduates – Graduate Outcomes Survey, HESA 2024).
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The University of Warwick provides accreditation for the QTS element of this University of Cumbria programme.†
† Accreditation may revert to the University of Cumbria for students commencing programme from September 2025 onwards.
Supporting You at Every Stage of Your Career
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Shape the future...
We offer a variety of teaching courses for students with and without degrees catered for by our Undergraduate and PGCE programmes. Whether you are at the start of your journey or taking the next step towards changing lives, all our courses include placement opportunities to get you confident in the classroom.
Train to be a teacher with the support of expert University of Cumbria academics on a course endorsed by the Department for Education. Accreditation for the award of QTS is through our accredited partner. All academic awards are made by the University of Cumbria.
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Education happens beyond the classroom setting. For those interested in educating, but who want to keep their career options open, there are a variety of pathways into positions as an educator. Professional educators can be found working in prisons, museums, youth clubs, publishing houses, the Government, and more.
Your knowledge of the education industry can be used in research, mentor schemes, business training, and counselling to name a few areas. Our beyond the classroom courses explore child development and theories of learning, including special educational needs, safeguarding, and pastoral care across all age groups from early years to adulthood, in and out of schools.
Kickstart Your Career
Graduation is just the start of your education career at the University of Cumbria. We are proud to offer a portfolio of Continuing Professional Development courses (CPD) to help qualified teachers and educators enhance their careers. From attaining a QTS, becoming an advocate for children with Special Educational Needs or gaining your masters, CPD courses allow teachers to continue to develop and benefit from our cutting-edge research contributions.
Keep Developing
With our Schools-Based programme, you can carry out your teacher training by working within a school. It's a great way to gain valuable experience and learn the ins and outs of teaching within a real working context.
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The Institute of Education works through a partnership that includes over 1000 early years and primary schools and settings and over 250 secondary schools and other 11-19 settings.
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What Our Graduates Say
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![Imran Khan, BA (Hons) Primary Education Graduate]()
Teaching is a career that changes your life. It is such an important job. You are literally shaping the lives of the children you teach.
Imran Khan, BA (Hons) Primary Education Graduate
Imran was awarded the 2019 Alumnus of the Year.
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The Home of Pioneering Research
Learning, Education and Development (LED) Research Centre
The Learning, Education and Development (LED) research centre is the Institute of Education's research group. The LED focuses on supporting practitioners to develop a research-informed practice that impacts policy.
Teacher Education Advancement Network (TEAN)
The Teacher Education Advancement Network (TEAN) is an initiative, supporting teacher education providers and associated organisations. From collecting resources to holding education events, TEAN improves the quality of training across the UK.