About this qualification
Delivered by our partners at the National Institute of Teaching and Education (NITE).
The international Qualified Teacher Status (iQTS) is a new accreditation issued by the Department for Education (DfE) to enable trainee teachers based outside England to gain qualified teacher status (QTS).
We offer two student entry routes to this qualification – an employed route and a non-employed route which can be undertaken in either the Primary or Secondary age phases.
Entry requirements - International
Applicants must:
- Hold an undergraduate degree, or equivalent as assessed by UK ENIC.
- Hold a standard equivalent to a GCSE Grade 4 in maths.
- For trainees teaching children aged 5-11, hold a standard equivalent to a GCSE (Grade 4) in a science subject.
- We accept applications from all countries outside England.
Equivalency tests
We also accept third party equivalency tests in place of GCSEs. The current providers that have been approved are:
Please speak to one of our consultants today for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.
English language requirements
The English Language requirement is satisfied if:
- The applicant’s degree was completed in English.
- They have an English Language GCSE but not as an additional language.
- They have IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with no element scoring less than 5.5.
For more information on our approved English language tests visit our speak to one of our consultants today.
The Teacher Training College will coordinate safeguarding checks. Applicants will be responsible for obtaining their own overseas checks/DBS equivalent (criminal record checks) required by the respective country. For more information about this course, entry requirements or your educational setting suitability, speak to our team.
Who is the qualification for?
Employed route
Unqualified teachers or teaching assistants who are, or will be, employed in a school overseas (i.e., outside England) while undertaking their training. An additional four-week school placement in a different setting will generally be required.
Non-employed route
Full-time or part-time students who will be hosted on placement in a school. An additional six-week school placement will generally be required.
Qualification information
- Upon successful completion of iQTS, the DfE will automatically award Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which certifies you to teach in state-maintained schools in England. Many independent schools in the UK now also prefer their teachers to have the qualification.
- Qualified Teacher Status is recognised in many countries as a formal teaching qualification.
- Age ranges: Primary (5-11 age range) and Secondary (11-16, 11-18, 14-19 age ranges).
- Secondary subjects available: Art & Design, Biology, Computing, Chemistry, Dance, Design & Technology, Drama, English, Geography, History, Maths, Music, Modern Foreign Languages, Physical Education, Physics and Religious Studies. For the 14-19 age range, Business Studies, Classics and Psychology are also available.
Credits
60 master’s level credits, with the option to extend your study to gain a full MA in Education
Distinct qualification features
- Online: The qualification is delivered to you online through webinars, podcasts, videos, research and tutorials.
Our platforms are interactive and engaging, and they enable both independent and peer learning. All qualification content and materials are available online, enabling you to study and revisit them as required and in your own time. - School-based: You will be based in schools and in employment as an unqualified teacher or teaching assistant for the entirety of the qualification (full-time or part-time). Teacher training is most effective ‘on-the-job’ in schools so that the knowledge you gain can be instantly applied in real lessons.
- Worldwide: As the qualification is delivered online, you can be employed in a school anywhere in the world. The school will be required to meet our selection criteria to ensure it can offer you the right support.
- Support: Described by Ofsted as “excellent”, our online tutorial programme provides you with regular teaching and support, both one-to-one with your university tutor and in a tutor group. Tutorials deepen your understanding of the topics we cover, and prompt you to think about what works best for you in your teaching. You will also be guided on a day-to-day basis by your in-school mentor, who will be an experienced teacher in your school.
- Flexible: There are three start dates within each academic year: September, January and April available for full-time and part-time routes.
We regularly review our qualification content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, qualification modules may be updated.
How you’ll be assessed
The qualification curriculum covers everything you require to become a first rate teacher. You will develop your knowledge of how to teach your subject at Secondary level or across the subject range at Primary level. You will learn how to manage behaviour in a classroom and gain a deep understanding of how different children learn and the psychology underpinning this. You will also learn to adapt your teaching to different contexts and children of different abilities. Assessment throughout the qualification is varied, engaging and designed to stimulate learning through oral presentations and written assignments. Your teaching is also regularly assessed to inform areas of strength and development, and you will be visited once in school and twice virtually by a University Assessor.
Fees & Funding
Student
Full-time
Part-time
International
£7,950
£3,975 per year
