Program Overview

Assessment Only Route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Key Facts

• Level: Postgraduate (PG)
• Duration: 12 weeks (Distance Learning)
• Starting: September, January
• UK Fees 25/26: £3,170
• Location: Distance Learning

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

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
• 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
• 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

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

• £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.

Staff

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

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.

Related Courses

• Primary Education (5-11) (QTS) PGCE
• PGCE (Top-Up) Primary/Early Years/Secondary