Assessment Only route leading to Qualified Teacher Status
Subject and course type
- Education and teaching
- Postgraduate
Ready to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)? If you have at least two years of teaching experience and a degree, this Assessment Only Route will help progress your classroom teaching career.
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Help the next generation of pupils progress
Develop your understanding of teaching and learning in line with your own appraisal or developmental targets.
Taking this Assessment Only Route to QTS at Kingston University gives you the opportunity to demonstrate you meet the standards for QTS without any further training.
To apply for the route, you will need to have worked in two schools and across two consecutive age phases as an unqualified teacher for a minimum of two years. You must also be able to show your experience fully meets the Teachers' Standards by point of application and that you are consistently meeting the Teachers' Standards by your final assessment point.
Plus, you must have a school or setting mentor to support you throughout the route.
During the Assessment Only Route to QTS, you'll complete a range of portfolio tasks based on your classroom practice to demonstrate you are consistently meeting the Teachers' Standards. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with current research and evidence-based learning, improve your knowledge, skills and understanding, and make a positive impact on your pupils' progress.
You’ll complete the route with a recommendation for QTS, and will need to complete an induction Early Career Teacher (ECT) programme at your employing school.
Please note, if you have a teaching qualification from the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, you might not need to take the AO route. If the UK recognises your teaching qualification, you will need to apply to the Department for Education for your QTS.
Why choose this route
Kingston University is an accredited and approved provider of the Assessment Only (AO) route to Qualified Teaching Status (QTS). We work with a range of partnership schools, and actively promote diversity and equality in the teaching profession.
You can choose to gain your recommendation in Early Years Primary (3–7 years), General Primary (5–11 years) or any secondary subject.
While you study, you’ll have access to a range of facilities at our Kingston Hill campus. From our fully-equipped Nightingale Centre library to our modern wireless network, you’ll have everything you need to accelerate your learning.
Course content
The Assessment Only route is not a training programme and is only available for unqualified teachers with appropriate educational qualifications and experience. The route allows you to demonstrate that you already meet all of the standards for QTS without the need for any further training. You will need to present a detailed portfolio of evidence, complete appropriate pre-selection checks and undertake an online interview in order to be selected for this route.
Subjects offered:
- Primary - early years (ages 3-7)
- Primary - general (ages 5-11)
- Any secondary subject
Career opportunities
After the route
You’ll complete the route with a recommendation for QTS, and will need to complete an induction Early Career Teacher (ECT) programme at your employing school.
Assessment Only
This course recognises highly competent teaching staff who do not have Qualified Teacher Status. You’ll receive support from your mentor (an experienced educator) to ensure your learning gives you what you need to excel in the classroom and beyond.
Fees and funding
| Fee Category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | Part Time £3,100 |
| International | Part Time £3,100 |
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply
Please apply using the online application. From the routes near the top of this webpage, select the intake you are interested in, then the "Apply Now" option. When applying, make sure to upload documents showing your degree achievements, along with your GSCE qualifications or recognised equivalents.
Once we have your application and supporting documents, we’ll review them to check both your academic suitability and how your prior experience fits this route. If everything looks good, we’ll invite you to an online interview with the teaching team, this is where you’ll have the chance to secure your offer with us.
Application deadlines
Please see below the application deadlines for the available intakes. While the indicated start and end dates are provided as guidance, we are able to offer flexibility and can work with you to support an intake route that best fits around your current teaching commitments.
| Application deadline | Intake month | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 March 2026 | April | 13 April 2026 | 6 July 2026 |
| 1 July 2026 | September | 14 September 2026 | 7 December 2026 |
| 1 December 2026 | January | 18 January 2027 | 12 April 2027 |
| 1 March 2027 | April | 12 April 2027 | 5 July 2027 |
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
