Our iQTS courses offer you the opportunity to teach both internationally and in England.
Make impactful change as an international teacher with our International Qualified Teacher Status (iQTS) course. You will develop pedagogic understanding while exploring your educational context.
Our iQTS degree trains you to teach these age phases:
- Primary (five to 11 years old)
- Secondary (11 to 16 years old).
This course is available to international students only. If you are a UK citizen, you can apply but you must live abroad.
This programme offers a choice of start dates:
- September from 2024
- January from 2025.
Please note: Each country has its own criteria for recruiting into education. While iQTS is widely recognised internationally, it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that iQTS is accepted as a recognised teaching qualification in the country they intend to work in.
Expert teaching and support
You will work closely with your lecturers – experts in education systems across the globe. You’ll also access their one-to-one support alongside mentoring within your school setting.
We are:
- 1st in London for ‘Academic Support’ (National Student Survey (NSS), 2023)
- 2nd in London for ‘Teaching on My Course’ (NSS, 2023).
A diverse community
You will study with other international students, exposing yourself to hundreds of various demographics, perspectives, and experiences. Therefore, you will build a well-rounded, inclusive, and thoughtful practice.
Gain extra qualifications
During your teacher training, you can complete the Catholic Certificate of Religious Studies (CCRS). This certificate is often a requirement for teaching in English Catholic schools.
Study online
Our iQTS course is online, so you can study from anywhere in the world.
Farhana Irshad
Lecturer - Education, Recruitment and Retention
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Course content
Modules
Our iQTS course structure includes a combination of taught content, 120 days of school-based training and distinct periods of intensive training and practice (ITAP). This programme will also involve phases of school-based training. In usual circumstances, all trainees will be required to complete a second placement in a different school.
Course content is carefully designed to meet the requirements of the Initial Teacher Training Core Content Framework (ITTCCF) and is underpinned by research-informed practice.
These modules are illustrative of what may be offered on your iQTS programme in September 2024. This programme is currently being finalised and course content will be confirmed in due course.
Modules will run throughout the year and will be delivered in two blocks of 10 half-day sessions. There is a requirement to attend synchronous sessions alongside engagement with asynchronous content.
Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.
Entry requirements
Additional requirement information
We are committed to recruiting trainee teachers who have the 'ability to work in a way that promotes the safety and wellbeing of children and young people'. The interview process will cover the suitability of applicants to work with children and young people.
Both UK and non-UK citizens can apply for iQTS – however, you must be living outside the UK.
You will also need to have:
- a bachelor’s degree from a UK or non-UK university (or other institution)
- a maths qualification of the same standard as GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) grade C/4 or above
- for teaching children aged 3 to 11, a science qualification of the same standard as GCSE grade C/4 or above
- relevant subject knowledge expertise
- excellent written and verbal English language skills
- two references: one of which must be from the school in which you will be completing your iQTS.
You can see some of the qualifications we accept as being equivalent to GCSE.
To check that your qualifications meet the entry requirements listed above, we suggest you refer to UK ENIC, where you can apply for a statement of comparability.
International Requirements
International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section.
We now accept IELTS Indicator test results as proof of your English language level.
To show you meet the required standard in the English language, you’ll also need one of the following:
- the equivalent score in another English language testing system
- to have completed some of your education in the English language, for example, a degree studied in English.
Further Information
For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.
Fees & funding
September 2024
International
£8,000
Funding Information
The fee for a one-year, full-time iQTS course at St Mary’s is £8,000.
Applicants for iQTS are not eligible for loans, bursaries, or any other type of financial support from the UK government to help cover the costs of studying iQTS.
Additional costs
Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme. Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.
For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage.
Funding
You can check on the UK government website to see if you may be eligible for a loan of up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate programme.
Home and international students may also be eligible for external sources of funding. International students should check their eligibility for our International Scholarship.
For more information, please look at our postgraduate funding page.
How the degree is taught
Assessment methods
Trainees are recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) by successfully meeting the Teachers’ Standards (DfE). Continuous assessment throughout the programme will determine success.
Your assignments will complement your work in schools and assist in meeting the Teachers’ Standards. These assignments aim to encourage you to be thoughtful and reflective, but also reinforce the evidence-based nature of the course assessment.
Self-assessment is also recognised as a valuable perspective in the evaluation of both school and centre-based work.
Other assessments are used to ensure students understand and can apply the knowledge. This is achieved using a range of methods, which may include:
- self-assessment
- presentations
- micro-teaching
- lesson observations
- portfolio of evidence against the Department for Education’s Teachers’ Standards.
Progress is monitored continuously throughout the course with a final assessment against the Teachers' Standards at the end of the programme. High standards of attendance, punctuality, and participation are requirements of all course elements.
Career opportunities
Our iQTS course will help you develop transferrable skills such as critical thinking, patience, and communication.
You will qualify to teach internationally and in England.
Contact our Career Services at careers@stmarys.ac.uk for further information on jobs and postgraduate opportunities.
Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of International qualified teacher status (iQTS) include:
Apply now
September 2024
Make sure to check our step-by-step guide to application process.
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