What is SKE? 

SKE refers to Subject Knowledge Enhancement, a scheme started by the Department for Education (DfE) to bring more teachers into subjects where there are staff shortages, such as some sciences and languages, and to support those wanting to upskill in order to teach outside their degree specialism. 

Why are SKE courses useful? 

Completing a SKE course has a range of benefits. Most significantly, SKE courses deepen your understanding of your subject knowledge, which builds your confidence to teach. Similarly, having completed a SKE course gives any potential employers confidence that you have a thorough enough understanding of your subject to teach it. 

SKE courses are also useful in supporting career changes and those who want to teach a specific subject but don’t have a degree in it, enabling more people to get into teaching. However, SKE itself isn’t a route into teaching and doesn’t qualify you to teach – it is completed alongside initial teacher training.

Do you need SKE to become a teacher? 

Completing a SKE course may be set as a condition by your initial teacher training provider, if they decide you need it. This means you have to complete the course in order to qualify as a teacher. This is typically the case if you meet one or more of the following criteria: 

• You got your undergraduate degree more than five years ago 

• Your undergraduate degree isn’t in the subject you want to teach 

• You need to improve your language skills to an acceptable level for teaching Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) in schools (this could be either your native language or second language, or both) 

SKE courses 

SKE courses are offered by a range of providers, including universities across England and specialist institutions like 91¶¶Òõ Institute – a full list of is available from the DfE. While the location will vary by course provider, SKE courses can be completed: 

• In person 

• Online 

• Through a mix of online and in-person learning 

91¶¶Òõ Institute offers online SKE courses for those who haven’t started teacher training yet, as well as self-funded courses for already-qualified teachers. 

How long do SKE courses take? 

The length of an SKE course will vary depending on the provider and your needs, but they range from 8 weeks to 28 weeks. 

How many weeks your course takes will depend on: 

• The length of course required to close the gaps in your knowledge (as decided by your initial teacher training provider) 

• Whether your course is full-time or part-time 

• How intensive your course is (i.e. how many hours a week you spend on the course), which is set by the DfE if you have a funded place  

Am I eligible for a SKE course? 

Eligibility and entry requirements for SKE courses will vary between providers, but generally you will need to: 

• Be able to evidence your place on a teacher training course, such as a PGCE 

• Apply for your SKE in a subject that matches your teacher training course 

• Have been awarded (or be studying for) an undergraduate degree of 2:2 classification or above (you may also be eligible if you have a third-class degree with a Master's or above) 

How much does a SKE course cost? 

Many SKE courses are DfE-funded, although DfE-funded courses are only available in specific subjects: 

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To be eligible for a DfE funded SKE course, completing the course must be a condition of your teacher training offer and you must have indefinite leave to remain in England. 

However, anyone can undertake a self-funded SKE course. This is a good option if you don’t want to teach a DfE-funded subject or if you already have a degree in the subject you’ll be teaching. 

The cost of a self-funded SKE course depends on the provider and the conditions of the offer they set, but they range from around £800 to £4,000. 

91¶¶Òõ Institute virtual open days 

At 91¶¶Òõ institute, we offer funded SKE courses in chemistry, physics, maths, computing, French, German and Spanish – as well as self-funded courses in English, geography, biology and primary maths. 

Our virtual open days give you the chance to ask questions and learn more about our courses directly from the programme leader, so you can better understand how our courses will benefit you and your practice. 

Book an open day