Assessment-Only Route to Qualified Teacher Status

If you are an experienced teacher, the National Institute of Teaching and Education offers a fast track to professional accreditation.

Our Assessment - Only Route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is available to teachers in the UK or abroad with more than two years of teaching experience, who have not undergone formal teacher training.

Qualified Teacher Status certifies teachers to teach in state-maintained schools in England. Many independent schools and British schools overseas also prefer their teachers to have the qualification.

Duration of programme: Maximum 12 weeks

Start dates: We accept applications throughout the year, and candidates begin the assessment process at the beginning of September, January, or April.

Course fees

*International trainees will also be expected to cover any visa, flight, accommodation, travel and sustenance costs incurred within the University Assessor visits.

Eligibility criteria for the Assessment-Only Route to QTS

This route is for teachers who meet the following eligibility criteria and require no further training to meet the Teachers’ Standards for Qualified Teacher Status. This is a non-training route and so there is no requirement for further study or attendance in lectures.

You will have at least two years of teaching experience in two different schools. Where a candidate has teaching experience in only one school, a second school placement of a minimum of 4 weeks will be required before entry onto the programme. We may be able to assist you in organising a placement school.

You will hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent (as assessed by ENIC for international qualifications).

You will have GCSEs in English and Maths at grade C/4 or above or equivalent (and Science for Primary school candidates).

• Features of this programme
  • Assessments are conducted in the UK and worldwide.
  • Evidence for assessments is submitted online.
  • Applications are accepted throughout the year.
  • No fees are applicable for the initial screening of the application.
  • Payments are taken at each stage of the assessment process.
  • Assessments are conducted by University Assessors who are highly experienced in teacher training.
• Programme Details

  Available across:

  • Primary: Age ranges 5 – 11, or 7 – 11
  • Middle assessment: Age ranges 7 – 14
  • Secondary: Age ranges 11 – 16, 11 – 18 or 14 – 19
• The 3-Stage Assessment Process
  • Stage 1 - Submission of an evidence portfolio online to demonstrate how you meet the Teachers’ Standards
  • Stage 2 - A visit to you in your school by a University Assessor to include observations of your teaching, professional discussions, and scrutiny of documentation to judge whether you are likely to meet all of the Teachers’ Standards within a maximum 12-week period.
  • Stage 3 - A final assessment visit to you in your school by a University Assessment.

Benefits of Obtaining QTS

• Increased employment opportunities: QTS is a requirement to teach in state-maintained schools in England and within many independent schools and British Schools overseas.
• Increased earning potential: Teachers with QTS could increase their annual salary by up to £7,000*.

*Comparison based on the Unqualified Teachers’ Pay Scales versus the Teachers’ Pay Scales (England, 2022).