The biggest cut is to the post-primary Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), where numbers accepted will drop by a fifth, from 290 to 234.

BBC: PGCE places cut by 20% in Northern Ireland universities

Previously, recruits to the profession did a one-year Masters course at a university, provided they had a PGCE (post-graduate certificate of education) plus two years of teaching experience.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Education | Psychologists' shortage claim

Both routes involve training towards a PGCE (post-graduate certificate in secondary education) and tuition fees are payable.

BBC: Teachers: Nearly one in three trainees does not stay