Assessment Only leading to QTS -

Duration

12 Weeks

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Become a fully qualified teacher in just 12 weeks by building on your existing experience in delivering lessons.

The Assessment-Only route is aimed at people who have typically spent at least two years in a teaching role and now want to develop their careers. You will be able to gain Qualified Teacher Status without the need for further training.

It’s ideal for staff currently employed as unqualified teachers in schools. They could include international teachers, cover supervisors, those with industry experience or teaching assistants who teach lessons.

The assessment-only route is open to both primary (general) and secondary teachers (all subjects). To be eligible, you must already be meeting the national teaching standards and have taught in more than one school.

The assessment process will be tailored to your needs and will take place as part of your day-to-day job. The support includes being assigned a school-based mentor.

Our Institute of Education also brings a wealth of expertise in teaching, school support and research. As well as our own Undergraduate and PGCE experts, we have partnerships with senior staff from schools across the region.

University staff will be able to guide you through the application process and you will also have an induction. We will carry out two lesson observations to support your progress during the 12-week period and will review your action plan.

You will also be asked to talk through a range of evidence to show your work as a teacher. This is set to include lesson plans, appraisals, examples of pupils’ work and extra-curricular activities.

The flexibility built into the Assessment-only route means you can choose from one of three start dates throughout the academic year (one per term).

Once you successfully complete the assessment, you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: - Assessment Only leading to QTS

This qualification is based in your current workplace. 

Course content

This course is an assessment only route.  In this way, there are no planned or specific inputs outside of the professional dialogue that is generated through feedback on observed practice.  Feedback is individual in nature and designed to provide each candidate with the necessary guidance to demonstrate proficiency within the age ranges they work with.

Entry requirements

  • Undergraduate degree 2.2 or above in any subject area
  • Applicants have to be working in an applicable school environment, been employed in a teaching related role for at least two years, and have the support of their head teacher/executive to fulfill the requirements for assessment only
  • Primary route: Maths and English at grade GCSE C/4 as a minimum, and Science or additional Science at GCSE C or 3/4
  • Secondary route: Maths and English at grade C/4 as a minimum
  • Enhanced DBS (employer led)
  • Occupational Health (employer led)
  • IELTS 7, minimum score of 6.5 in any one area

Facilities

Careers

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

‘On the job’ and through the support of School-based Mentors, feedback on teaching and subsequent professional discussion, candidates will demonstrate their proficiency across 2 key stages of the primary/secondary range. Candidates will develop their already substantial experience, capturing their position in the scope of the Teachers’ Standards.

Assessment

Teaching observations assessed in the workplace.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

Observation feedback and mentor support to completion of the standards.

Independent learning

6 hours ‘off the job’ to work towards the assessment requirements. Candidates will develop their skill set and repertoire as a teacher and evidence this through professional discussion and in the presentation of their portfolio of evidence to support recommendations for QTS. In this way, candidates will demonstrate their effectiveness as professionals and be able to plan their entry into the career of teaching, using the Early Career Teacher Framework to support their direction of travel.

Staff

Mark Barlow

Senior Lecturer

Mark’s most recent work enables him to share his significant experience in developing teachers of the future, focusing on professional development, safeguarding in schools, and simulated learning for trainee teachers.

Mark's profile

Jayne Bartrop

Senior Lecturer

Jayne's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 27 January 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for --Part-time, blended learning
Study option UK / Channel Islands
Part-time £2,700 per course

For the course starting on 14 April 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for --Part-time, blended learning
Study option UK / Channel Islands
Part-time £2,700 per course

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for --Part-time, blended learning
Study option
Part-time
Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus - Part-time, blended learning 27 January 2025 Apply now
Stoke-on-Trent campus - Part-time, blended learning 14 April 2025 Apply now
Stoke-on-Trent campus - Part-time, blended learning 22 September 2025 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations

Have you considered?

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021