Assessment Only Route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) (Primary and Secondary)

Course Content

The AO Route to iQTS consists only of assessments and does not have any taught content. For how the assessments are carried out, please see the Delivery section.

Course Delivery

The AO Route to iQTS consists of three assessment processes:

• Initial assessment of the candidate’s eligibility for the route using CV, timetable and an audit of teaching experience.
• Completion and return of documentation required to evidence meeting of teaching standards. The candidate will also be required to produce a Teaching and Learning File (TLF). The file is used by the candidate to showcase evidence over time of meeting the Teachers’ standards and serves as a portfolio of evidence in support of them passing the course.
• Two assessment visits to the candidate’s school by a University of Buckingham appointed Tutor.

Many of the criteria for award of QTS will be assessed during the assessment visits, during which the Tutor will interview the candidate, hold meetings with the candidate’s line manager, mentor and the school’s professional tutor, conduct at least 3 lesson observations as well as will scrutinize the candidate’s planning, marking, report writing and professional development. 

Entry Requirements

For entry onto the Assessment Only Route, you will be expected to have the following:

• A university degree*
• GCSE in English, Maths at grade C/4 or above*
• GCSE in Science at grade C/4 or above* (Primary applicants only).
• You must be employed as an unqualified teacher in a school.

*If your degree/qualifications were not awarded by a UK university, you will need a statement of comparability from UK ENIC. Please refer to our guidance here. 

In addition, you must:

• Have two years’ teaching experience in at least two contrasting schools, one of which may be your current school. (For candidates who have taught in only one school, a minimum three-week teaching placement in another school will be required prior to the start of the course. The University of Buckingham will provide you with advice regarding the nature of this placement).
• Demonstrate that you meet all of the Teaching Standards across the age-range of assessment, as stipulated by the UK Department of Education.
• You must have knowledge of at least four consecutive year groups, having taught in at least two, across two consecutive Key Stages.
• For the General Primary option, be teaching core subjects (English, maths and science) to full classes for at least 50% (approximately 12 hours per week) of a full school timetable in the assessed age range
• For the Primary specialism option (art, drama, music, PE or MFL) be teaching the core subjects (English, maths and science) for approximately 6 hours per week, and your subject specialism for the remaining 6 hours, in the assessed age range.
• For the Prep/Middle route, be teaching your subject specialism to Upper KS2-3 (years 5-8) for at least 50% (approximately 12 hours per week) of a full school timetable in the assessed age range.
• For the Secondary option, be teaching your subject to full classes for at least 50% (approximately 12 hours per week) of a full school timetable in the assessed age range.
• Have passed the literacy test before completing the course. The University will make these arrangements for you. We may be able to accept a previously completed literacy test, our admissions team will assess if this is possible.
• Show you have the health and physical capacity to teach.
• Satisfy criteria based on suitability and aptitude for teaching. This includes Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal records checks and children’s barred list information. Candidates who have lived or worked outside the UK must undergo the same checks as all other staff in schools and colleges. In addition, further checks may be carried out. The Home Office has published guidance on criminal record checks for overseas applicants.

The employing school must be able to fully support a candidate through this route, enabling them to demonstrate all of the Teachers’ Standards across the full age and ability range of training, and cannot have been graded as inadequate by Ofsted.

Fees

Registration Fee: £300 (non-refundable)

Tuition Fee: £4,000

Fees are invoiced for at the beginning of the course.

All fees are charged directly by the University of Buckingham, BISE will not add any additional charges for our services.

How To Apply

Click Apply Now below to apply online through Buckingham International School of Education. We will support you to complete your application before submitting it directly to the University of Buckingham.

If you have any queries, click Ask a Question and our admissions team members will endeavour to reply to your enquiry within 24 hours.

Our admissions staff are based in Mainland China and Hong Kong and our hours of business are 10am to 7pm (GMT+7), Mon-Fri.

Deadlines

There are two intakes per year for the AO Route, January and April. 

January 2026 Intake: applications for primary or secondary route close on 15 November 2025.

April 2026 Intake: applications for primary or secondary route close on 28 February 2026.

If you have missed the deadline for your preferred intake, please get in touch as there may be flexibility on late applications.