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Assessment Only Route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

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  3. Assessment Only Route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Key Facts

  • Level

    PostgraduatePG

  • Duration

    12 weeks Distance Learning

  • Starting

    September, January

Updated 10/04/2025

Open Days

Updated 10/04/2025

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

Follow Us

cpdadmin@northampton.ac.uk

Overview

The Assessment Only Route to Qualified Teacher Status is designed for unqualified teachers (paid or unpaid) or in equivalent roles i.e. planning for, teaching, and assessing whole class groups across the primary curriculum (UON does not currently offer the Secondary AO route to QTS) working  in one of the following settings:

  • Mainstream school or Academy
  • Free School
  • Independent School
  • Pupil Referral unit
  • Special School.

*Please note that for candidates working in a Pupil Referral Unit or Special School, you will need to provide evidence of significant mainstream school experience.

Candidates should have two or more years’ experience of class teaching, have taught in two or more schools, meet the Teachers’ Standards, and whose role includes substantial amounts of planning, teaching and assessment.

To register your interest in this course please email Dominic Murphy.

Highlights

  • Fast track route to qualified teacher status
  • Supports your continued professional development
  • Once you have been awarded Qualified Teacher Status in England or Wales, you will be eligible for pay under the School Teachers’ Pay Scales
  • Supported and supervised by experienced University Tutors
  • Access to wider University Support and Services

 

 

Entry Requirements

UK degree or equivalent of 2:2 or above.

GCSE in English, Mathematics and a Science at grade C/4 or above, or equivalent.

If you are required to undertake an equivalency test we will accept a grade 4 or better from the following:

  • Equivalency Testing for English, mathematics or science (combined or Biology).
  • A Star Equivalency for mathematics or science (combined or Biology) but NOT for English.
  • Birmingham Central University (BCU) equivalency exams for all subjects

If you already have an equivalency exam from another provider then please contact University Admissions who will be able to advise you if it is acceptable.

See the full requirements below.

  • Working in one of the following settings able to support the Assessment Only Route to QTS and demonstrating between 12 – 15 hours of teaching experience per week in the classroom across core and the breadth of wider curriculum subjects:

    • Mainstream Primary (5-11yrs) School or Academy
    • Free School (5-11yrs)
    • Independent School (5-11yrs)
    • Special School (where applicants are also able to demonstrate evidence of significant teaching experience in a mainstream school and be working currently with children in the 5-11yrs age-range)
    • Pupil Referral Unit (where applicants are also able to demonstrate evidence of significant teaching experience in a mainstream school and be working currently with children in the 5-11yrs age-range)

    At least two years’ teaching experience across the Primary (5-11yrs) age range in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 in a suitable educational setting (see above) including experience of at least two settings, which may include your current setting. Teaching includes responsibility for planning and assessing pupils’ learning.

    For candidates who have not taught in more than one setting, a minimum six-week teaching placement with 12-15 hours of teaching responsibility in another school will be needed prior to initial assessment.

    Proof of DBS check from your setting which must be provided prior to commencement of the 12-week assessment period.

    Commitment from your setting to fully support you through the Assessment Only Route including provision of an experienced mentor to support you and time to complete lesson observations and weekly review meetings.

    Appeals and complaints

    If you wish to appeal our decision or have cause to complain, please contact the Admissions Office first to see if we can resolve the problem. If you feel you need to take your complaint or appeal further please refer to our University complaints and appeals process and complete the Applicant Complaint and Appeals Form.

Course Content

  • Before you can apply for Assessment Only route, leadership of your setting must assess that you are suitable to be a teacher and that you are meeting all of the Teachers’ Standards.

    Firstly, the University will carry out an initial assessment to check the accuracy of your setting’s assessment which will include an observation of your teaching, review of your portfolio of evidence to demonstrate that you meet the Teachers’ Standards and an interview. If we feel that you are suitable, the second stage is a rigorous 12-week assessment in your setting with ongoing observation and mentoring by in-school staff, and scrutiny of a portfolio of evidence against the Teachers’ Standards that you will have gathered.  This also includes University assessor visits to observe your teaching and engage in professional dialogue with you and in-school staff including  your mentor. The professional judgement that we will make is pass or fail in line with the DfE’s criteria. There is a fee for the initial assessment, and another fee for the twelve-week continuous assessment. Candidates are self-funded, or are funded by their schools. As this is not a taught module, student loans are not available.

Fees and Funding

2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • £3,170 (£300 for initial application, interview and to check suitability for the Assessment Only route to QTS which will be deducted from the total fee)

For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

  • Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • £3,100 (£300 for initial application, interview and to check suitability for the Assessment Only route to QTS which will be deducted from the total fee)

    For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

Staff

Dominic Murphy, Senior Lecturer in Education (ECYP)

Senior Lecturer in Education (ECYP)
Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Dominic Murphy

Careers and Employability

When you complete the Assessment Only Route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) course, you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status which is nationally recognised as the professional qualification for teachers.

Once you have gained QTS, you could go on to do a PGCE Top Up course. This is a part-time, entirely online programme.

Is this course for you?

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