Becoming a qualified teacher or trainer is a rewarding and fulfilling career choice, however the path to achieving Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) can vary depending on one’s circumstances, availability of resources and preferences. There are a number of routes to attain QTLS or QTS, each with its own set of requirements and benefits. In this blog, we will explore the different routes to achieving QTLS and QTS, providing insights into the options available to those interested in pursuing a career in education or training.
Most Common Route to Achieving Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS)
Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training, previously known as DTLLS, is the most common way to achieve Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status. This DET is an excellent option if you intend to teach in Higher Education (HE) or Further Education (FE) institutes. It is also the quickest and cheapest way to obtain the QTLS. It is fast because the mode of learning is 100% online, meaning it will entirely be dependent on your learning time and capacity, also no internship or apprenticeship is necessarily required. It is fully flexible and can be done at a pace that suits you the best, with one-on-one tutor support, all while continuing to work. For L5 DET, 100 hours of log is required, out of which only 8 should be observed and assessed.
If you are looking to achieve QTLS through this route we can offer you our Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training. It is an industry-standard teaching qualification that allows you to apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status, enabling you to become a teacher or trainer in the FE and Skills sector. The Level 5 DET qualification we deliver is accredited by UK Ofqual and is 100% online with full tutor support. You are only required to hold a Level 2 qualification in Mathematics and Literacy (GCSE in Maths and English) to achieve this qualification. However, if you do not hold Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy skills, you can opt for our QTLS Pathway (with English and Maths). This pathway is designed especially for aspirants who ultimately want to attain QTLS status.
The Level 5 DET/DTLLS course offered by Britannia School of Academics ranges from £799 to £960, inclusive of all charges, with no hidden fees. This teaching diploma stands out for being entirely online, which means that international students can save over £20,000 on travel and accommodation expenses.
Other Level 5 Teaching Qualifications Leading to QTLS
- Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS) — Level 5
- Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (English ESOL) — Level 5
- General Professional Recognition Learning & Skills
- General Teacher Training Practice (GTTP)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Education
- Postgraduate Certificate in ESOL Teaching
A list of other specific Level 5 qualifications is provided on SET official website.
Most common Route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Further Education (FE) is a well-known route to achieving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in the UK. The PGCE sits at Level 7 qualification in the Framework for Higher Education and is designed as a two-year postgraduate programme that combines theoretical knowledge and teaching practice, enabling graduates to teach students in the early years, primary and secondary sectors (age 16 and below). The PGCE FE is an ideal choice for individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree and want to advance their career as a subject expert teacher.
The programme requires attendance at university for lectures, assessments, and other tasks, and then complete the practical experience at a placement school as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT). To apply for a fully qualified teaching status, i.e., QTS, the candidate must pass this internship comprised of 3 terms. Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) will be responsible for awarding this status to teachers who have successfully achieved their PGCE. As rewarding as it may sound, this route is not flexible at all as universities charge a higher fee for the PGCE, and the QTS is not guaranteed. This makes it a relatively expensive and time-consuming process that requires rigid commitments. The PGCE FE costs 10 to 20 times more than the L5 DET course.
According to Department of Education (2019), the cost of a PGCE course for home students is approximately £9,250, exclusive of transportation expenses and other incidental fees. While the international students can expect to pay between £16,000-£20,000, covering tuition and other academic costs exclusively. However, the overall expenses do not include the cost of living, nor the expenditure needed to obtain an undergraduate degree, a prerequisite for admission into the PGCE program.
Overseas Teachers and QTLS
As an international or overseas teacher, you can train to become a UK-qualified teacher. We welcome applicants from all around the world on our Level 5 DET course since it is recognised and approved by businesses and institutions worldwide. You can then apply for the QTLS only if you meet the qualifying conditions on the SET website.
How to gain QTLS
Here is how you can gain your QTLS: “Achieving QTLS”
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