Assessment Only route leading to Qualified Teacher Status

Why choose this course?

If you already have at least two years' teaching experience, and a first degree, this is the perfect route for you to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) without the need for further training.

The route is ideal if you are an unqualified teacher with appropriate educational qualifications and experience. You will need to have worked across two consecutive age phases, and be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient range and breadth of experience to fully meet the Teachers' Standards by your final assessment point.

The assessment period is up to 12 weeks depending on the individual. After gaining your recommendation for QTS, you will need to complete an induction Early Career Teacher (ECT) programme at your employing school.

You will also need to have a school or setting mentor so that you can be supported throughout the duration of the assessment only route.

Whilst this is not a taught course, the portfolio has been designed to help you to develop your understanding of teaching and learning, in line with your own appraisal or developmental targets.

If you have gained your teaching qualification from one of the countries listed below, you may be recognised as a qualified teacher so may not need to undertake the AO route. You will need to apply to the Department for Education for the award of QTS.   

  • USA
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
Apply for this course
Mode Duration Start date
No attendance 3 months (maximum) Ongoing entry from September 2024
Main Location Work based
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Reasons to choose Kingston University

  • Kingston University is an accredited and approved provider of the Assessment Only (AO) route into teaching and works with a number of partnership schools across the South East region.
  • This route recognises highly competent teaching staff who do not have Qualified Teacher Status and actively promotes high levels of diversity and equality for those wanting to join the teaching profession.
  • Portfolio tasks will be based on your classroom practice, encouraging you to engage with current research and evidence-based learning, so that you can improve your knowledge, skills and understanding to have a positive impact on your pupils' progress.

What you will study

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

Entry requirements

You need to have taught at a minimum of two schools.

Typical offer

  • A first degree from a UK higher education institution, or equivalent qualification. For secondary, your degree must be at least 50% in the subject you wish to teach.
  • GCSE English and mathematics (plus science for primary) at grade 4 or above (C or above for examinations taken before 2017). If you do not have GCSEs in English, mathematics and science, we are happy for you to take your tests externally via ET Equivalency Testing or A Star Equivalency.
  • Extensive teaching experience in two or more schools (the applicant must currently be employed at a school) across two consecutive age ranges within the primary or secondary phase. This should include some experience in a mainstream UK state school:
    • 3–7 yrs
    • 5–11 yrs
    • 11–16 yrs
    • 14–19 yrs
  • Satisfactory Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) enhanced disclosure and occupational health checks undertaken by the school as necessary.

Who teaches this course?

The assessors for your course have experience teaching in schools and are all tutors on other QTS courses within the Department of Education. They continue to be actively involved in a range of education related activities, such as further study, research and direct work with schools and in educational settings.

Mari Jo Valentine

Course Director

Course fees and funding

2025/26 fees for this course

  • Home 2025/26 – £3,000

The fees need to be met by the candidate or their supporting school or a combination of both.

The cost covers the following:

  • application and initial screening
  • initial assessment day (interview at school with head teacher and university tutor)
  • initial tutor observation and portfolio examination
  • additional tutor visits (if required)
  • final tutor observation
  • and tutor travel expenses.

Please note, this programme is not eligible for Student Finance.

2024/25 fees for this course

  • Home 2024/25 – £2,900

The fees need to be met by the candidate or their supporting school or a combination of both.

The cost covers the following:

  • application and initial screening
  • initial assessment (interview with head teacher and university tutor and portfolio discussion)
  • additional tutor visits (if required)
  • final tutor observation
  • tutor travel expenses.

Please note, this programme is not eligible for Student Finance.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to, or be required to, buy your own copy of key textbooks.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses.

Printing

In the majority of cases coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees.

Travel

Travel costs are not included but we do have a free bus service which links the campuses and halls of residence.

Funding

Candidates are not eligible for government funding on the Assessment Only route.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (for example, art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residence. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees, this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Facilities at Kingston Hill

There is a wide range of facilities at our Kingston Hill campus, where this course is based.

Kingston Hill is a leafy, hillside campus situated about three miles away from Kingston town centre. It is a quiet, secure place to study with easy access to London, meaning it provides the best of all worlds for our students.

Find out more about the Kingston Hill campus in the virtual tour.

Library

One of the highlights of the Kingston Hill campus is the modern library, called the Nightingale Centre after Florence Nightingale, who was a regular visitor to Kingston Hill.

The library provides a spacious and attractive place for students to meet and study and features a cafe, more PCs and zoned study areas. Long opening hours give you plenty of access to specialist education books, journals and online resources.

Find out more about the Nightingale Centre in the virtual tour.

Computer and online facilities

There are many computers (PCs and Macs) available for you to use across the Kingston Hill campus when you need a place to study. Access to the wireless network across the campus means you can also work from your laptop or mobile device.

Using IT to support your studies is crucial. Kingston has an innovative virtual learning environment called Canvas. This allows you to access course materials and contact fellow students and staff while away from the campus.

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. Course changes explained.

Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.