iQTS is a new 12-month International Teacher Training Programme from the UK Department for Education (DfE) enabling international teachers and teaching assistants to gain English QTS overseas.

iQTS is a new teaching qualification backed by England’s Department for Education (DfE) which is iQTS is equivalent to English Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

iQTS graduates looking for English QTS are guaranteed that this will be awarded by the DfE on completion of iQTS without the need for additional assessment, training or cost.

Graduates of iQTS who then apply for QTS will be eligible to complete Statutory ECT Induction (formerly NQT Induction) if working in a BSO accredited school, a Ministry of Defence school overseas or an eligible school in England.

Who is iQTS for?

iQTS is suitable for candidates living outside the UK, including:

  • UK citizens currently working abroad who wish to start teacher training or develop their teaching career;

  • Non-UK citizens who wish to begin teacher training or build on existing teaching experience;

  • UK and non-UK teachers without QTS who wish to improve their employability in England and internationally with a UK government-backed and approved professional qualification.

 

The Aims of iQTS

  • To make high quality training accessible around the world, allowing trainees to benefit from evidence-based ITT and allowing schools to develop local talent;

  • To increase the global pool of quality teachers and support global mobility within the teaching profession;

  • To allow teachers and teaching assistants worldwide to gain iQTS and subsequently QTS via International Initial Teacher Training.

The iQTS pilot in 2022-2023 is made up of of a small cohort of around 180 candidates ahead of global rollout in the 2023-2024 academic year.

iQTS is built on evidence-based English methods and standards of teacher training with contextualisation for the wide variety of settings trainees may be in.

 

iQTS Entry Requirements

To apply for iQTS candidates will need to have:

  • A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, from a UK or non-UK university;

  • Achieved a standard equivalent to grade 4 in GCSE mathematics;

  • For teaching children aged 3 to 11 (equivalent to English primary school), achieved a standard equivalent to grade 4 in a GCSE science (biology, chemistry or physics) subject;

  • Demonstrated proficiency in the English language (you’ll need an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher, the equivalent score in another English language testing system, or to have completed some of your education in English, for example, a degree studied in English).

Delivery of iQTS Overseas

iQTS participants will complete the iQTS training programme without needing to visit the UK. Training will be delivered in English and consist of a year of study alongside teaching practice in schools, including:

  • Tuition from the iQTS English teacher training provider, delivered largely using remote working technology;

  • Face-to-face mentoring at the candidate’s placement school;

  • Regular feedback and rigorous assessment.

 

6 Reasons to Apply for iQTS

  1. Gain the skills, experience and knowledge to become an excellent teacher, with an internationally transferable qualification backed by the UK government.

  2. Apply from anywhere in the world, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.

  3. Train to teach where you live or work, with no need to visit the UK.

  4. Learn from a world-class English teacher training provider, with in-school support from a trained mentor.

  5. Meet the same rigorous Teachers’ Standards that are set for QTS, and open doors at international schools and other employers around the world.

  6. Complete iQTS, and you’ll be eligible to apply for QTS with no further fees or training, and qualified to teach in all schools in England.

 

For more information on iQTS or to register to join the next cohort email admin@aobso.uk