Assessment Only Route to QTS

This route is fully accredited by the Department for Education (DfE). It's suitable for experienced teachers seeking Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). We're a leading UK provider and our assessment is recognised around the world. Gain QTS in 10-12 weeks and take the next step in your teaching career.

A teacher standing in front of a screen talking to a class

LevelShort courses and CPD

Duration10-12 weeks

Fee£2,600

Course codeCID1099

Course summary

The Assessment Only Route to QTS is for teachers who have:

At least two years' experience of teaching whole classes
Worked in at least two schools (either in the UK or internationally)
Experience across the required age range of their chosen phase.

The course allows you to show you already meet all the Teachers' Standards for QTS. Instead of further training, we'll assess you against these standards through a structured process. This is based on your existing practice and professional experience.

We're an accredited provider of the Assessment Only Route and one of the largest in the UK. Our assessment team have experience across a range of phases, subjects, and international contexts. This ensures you'll have the right support throughout the course. We've worked with teachers across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America.

Please note, there's no formal teaching on this course.

Why Sunderland for Short courses and CPD

What you'll study

The Assessment Only Route has no taught element. Assessment takes place in your current school where you'll show you already meet the Teachers' Standards.

How you'll learn

You'll be assessed in your current school for up to 12 weeks and you won't need to come to the University.

Assessment usually follows this process:

Checking your application. We'll look at your application to check you meet the requirements and have enough teaching experience
Interview and evidence. If you're eligible, we'll invite you to an interview. You'll need to show us evidence of how you already meet the Teachers' Standards
Assessment period. Once you pass your interview and register with the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), your assessment starts. You'll get plenty of support from a University assessor and a mentor in your school. They'll help you gather more evidence to meet the Teachers' Standards
Final assessment. At the end of the assessment period, we'll look at all your evidence. If everything looks good, we'll recommend you for QTS.

Please note, this route only covers QTS. Your school and induction provider will handle any arrangements relating to Early Career Teacher (ECT).

Entry requirements

To apply for the course, you should have at least two years' experience of teaching a whole class. You should have responsibility for planning, teaching, and assessment. You'll need recent experience of teaching in at least two school settings.

You must also:

Hold a bachelor's degree, or equivalent
Hold GCSE grade C/4, or equivalent, in maths and English language
Have an appropriate level of English language skills. Find out more about our English language requirements
Work at a school delivering the English National Curriculum. This could also be a recognised international curriculum
Meet safeguarding and fitness-to-teach requirements
Provide appropriate professional references.

Primary applicants

If you teach at primary level, you'll also need:

At least a grade C/4, or equivalent, in GCSE science
Experience across at least two primary key phases. This would be either Early Years and Key Stage 1 (ages 3-7) or Key Stage 2 and 3 (ages 5-11).

Middle and secondary applicants

If you teach at middle or secondary level, you'll also need:

Appropriate experience across the age ranges relevant to your chosen phase and subject.

Fees and finance support

The assessment fee for this course is £2,600.

Apply now

Applications open on 20 July 2026.

If the course is right for you, we can complete the assessment within 12 weeks from the time of interview.