Assessment Only Route to QTS

Demonstrate your experience in teaching to gain a formal qualification. Take one of the fastest routes to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Use your QTS to apply for roles in state-maintained schools in England.

A primary school pupil sitting in a classroom, listening

LevelShort courses and CPD

Duration6-12 weeks

Fee£2,500

Course codeCID1099

Course summary

The Assessment Only Route to QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) is for experienced teachers who’ve taught full classes for at least two years. To apply, you must have worked in two different schools and have significant experience across two key stages in one of the following age ranges:

3-11 (primary)
7-14 (middle)
11-19 (secondary).

The course allows you to demonstrate that you already meet all the Teachers' Standards for QTS(opens in new tab).

The assessment lasts up to 12 weeks and begins after you register with the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). If you’re eligible (see our entry requirements), you’ll attend an interview and present evidence of your teaching experience. For final recommendation for QTS, we’ll reassess your evidence and assess your teaching in your current school.

Once you’re awarded QTS, you’ll begin your Early Career Teacher (ECT) period, managed by your school and its ECT provider. This includes tailored support and further assessment of the core professional standards for teachers, usually organised by your school or local authority.

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

What you'll study

There’s no taught element, and you won’t need to attend regular university sessions. However, you’ll be required to attend an interview, which is usually held on campus.

Your final QTS assessment will be carried out in your current school.

How you'll learn

Assessment takes place over a maximum of 12 weeks in the school where you're currently employed. You'll receive a personalised assessment plan tailored to your experience. If a longer preparation period is recommended, we may advise applying for one of our Initial Teacher Training courses instead.

Entry requirements

Typical applications to this route include people who've taught for more than two years in the independent sector or overseas. The Assessment Only Route to QTS is also possible if you wish to be assessed while teaching overseas.

We require applicants to have the following:

An honours degree, normally a 2:2 or above
GCSE grade C, or equivalent, in mathematics and English language. If you intend to teach at primary level, you also need at least a grade C in a science subject
Full proficiency in English language
Recent significant experience of teaching in at least two schools
Teaching experience across two key stages in your chosen age range: either 3-11 (primary), 7-14 (middle), or 11-19 (secondary)
Be placed at an English National Curriculum school or a school that runs a recognised international curricula (IB, IPC, Cambridge, etc)
An enhanced check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Fitness-To-Teach approval, or international equivalent if overseas
References recommending you for the Assessment Only Route from the headteacher/principal of the schools in which you've gained your experience.

Your numeracy and literacy competency will be assessed continuously throughout the course following the DfE’s removal of the Professional Skills Test.

We invite potential candidates to an interview where you'll present a portfolio of initial evidence that shows clear progress towards meeting the QTS standards.

For further information please contact: fes.assessmentonly@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Fees and finance support

See all course tuition fees.

Apply now

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

For more information and how to apply, please contac: fes.assessmentonly@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3099.