Become a qualified teacher anywhere in the world with iQTS
What is iQTS?
International qualified teacher status (iQTS) is a teaching qualification backed by the Department for Education (DfE) and UK government that allows applicants to gain qualified teacher status (QTS) where they live and work, with no requirement to visit or study in the UK.
Why gain iQTS?
From a trainee perspective, the iQTS qualification makes high-quality teacher training more accessible around the world, allowing trainees to benefit from evidence-based initial teacher training (ITT). Holders of the iQTS are also automatically awarded the QTS, providing that the qualification was done through an approved provider. This allows holders to teach in all English schools and schools where the QTS is a requirement.
Meanwhile, from a school perspective, iQTS allows schools to recruit and develop local talent and increase the pool of quality teachers globally.
iQTS at Tes Institute
Our iQTS course, which was launched back in September 2023, is a 10-month school-centred initial teacher training route designed to help address the global demand for high quality teachers.
This route forms part of the government’s initiative led by the DfE to deliver ‘a fairer approach to awarding QTS’ for international teachers and follows a successful pilot roll-out in 2022 in which Tes Institute was selected as the only non-university provider.
As schools worldwide continue to face recruitment and retention crises, this course offers a new route into teaching for talented educators from across the world, allowing them to train in their own country and become qualified teachers with an internationally transferable qualification.
Applicants must hold a degree from a UK higher education institution or equivalent qualification, as well as the appropriate qualities, attitudes and values expected of a teacher. The course is based in-school, so trainees will need to be employed in a school at the start of their course and working as a member of the school team to get the full benefit of learning from experienced professionals and gaining practical teaching experience.
Our iQTS course provides a flexible and supportive learning environment that is tailored to each individual's needs, with online study sessions that allow learners to study at their own pace and at a time that suits them. It allows trainees to develop their knowledge and understanding of teaching in an international context, improve their practical teaching skills and gain in-school experience.
Learners can also take an optional International Postgraduate Certificate in Education (iPGCE), which offers them the opportunity to further develop their teaching skills and advance their careers.
Learn more about iQTS
If you’re interested in gaining QTS and an optional iPGCE take a look at our iQTS course page. Or why not hear from Emma Cook - head of programme for the Tes iQTS course? She shares more about the iQTS programme's aims, why current learners love the Tes iQTS course and more.
Alternatively, if you’d like to discuss the course with our enrolment team, get in touch with us via our contact form.