Online course description
International Qualified Teacher Status (iQTS) is a UK government-backed international teaching qualification, recognised by the Department for Education (DfE), as equivalent to English Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This course is for trainee teachers of primary education ages 3-11.
In 2022, the DfE appointed University of Derby as one of only six accredited providers for the new International Qualified Teacher Status (iQTS) Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme / qualification. iQTS is recognised as equivalent to English QTS by DfE, meaning that anyone who is awarded the iQTS qualification by an accredited ITT provider, will be automatically awarded QTS through the DfE.
The highlights
- Course seeks to develop outstanding teachers within primary education who are resilient and reflective classroom practitioners
- Study routes covers Primary Age (ages 3-11)
- Flexible teaching qualification that addresses complex global education issues
- Creates teachers who are critical thinkers, able to question global, political and educational ideologies
- Societal justice and inclusive practice are key drivers behind this course
Benefitting from our expertise in online education, this course will be delivered through online learning, combined with academic support to help you become a qualified and confident classroom teacher of children aged 3 – 11 years.
Trainees will undertake assessed placements in your local schools and will be supported for the duration of the course by a trained mentor from your school setting.
In line with the iQTS Teachers’ Standards and Core Content Framework, the iQTS will focus on the fundamental skills needed to be an effective teacher in any international setting, supported by a strong understanding of the subject pedagogy and professional skills required to be an outstanding teacher.
As a long-standing provider of Initial Teacher Training and Education (ITT/E), awarding this qualification affirms our place as both a national and now international provider of Outstanding ITT/E, one of only a small number of providers in the UK offering this award.
Who is the iQTS for?
The iQTS is aimed at those living outside of the UK, including:
- UK citizens currently working abroad who wish to start teacher training or develop their teaching career. You must be based overseas for the duration of the course
- Non-UK citizens who wish to begin teacher training or build on existing teaching experience
- UK and non-UK teachers without QTS, working overseas, who wish to improve their employability in England and internationally with a UK government-backed and approved professional qualification
- Those who wish to gain a formal teaching qualification
- Holders of iPGCE qualification who wish to gain a formal teaching qualification. Graduates of the University of Derby’s online iPGCE will be eligible for a discount on the iQTS course fee.
If you prefer to undertake a qualification without Qualified Teacher Status, then our online iPGCE course may be more suited to you.
Specialism for Primary Education
This course allows you to tailor your studies to match your own interests and career plans. Depending on your preference and any prior experience, you can choose to specialise, via your placements, in teaching 3– 7-year-olds or 5–11-year-olds.
Whichever route you choose, your award will be the same; however, your placements, undertaken in host schools sourced by yourself, will be appropriate to your chosen route to help you advance your teaching and learning skills in specific areas.
Requirements for Entry to the Course
Applicants for the course will require the following:
- Undergraduate degree (at least a 2:2) with Honours or equivalent
- Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or equivalent
- Grade 4 in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent
- Grade 4 in GCSE Science or equivalent
If English is not your first language, you will be required to have evidence of English equivalent to IELTS 7.0 (a minimum score of 6.5 in any one area may be acceptable)
Additional requirements for suitability to join the course
In addition to meeting the above course entry criteria, applicants will also need to provide the following to demonstrate suitability to join the iQTS course:
- Copy of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications**
- Passport
- Current CV detailing your full employment history and teaching experience
- Letters from national authority about 'imposed restrictions or conditions':
- These letters must be from national authorities where applicants have conducted a teaching role, confirming there are no imposed restrictions or conditions of their teaching
- Letters addressed to 'The Admissions Tutor: iQTS
- Two written references:
- Both on headed paper from either a manager, supervisor, tutor or teacher, and addressed to 'The Admissions Tutor: iQTS
- Evidence of placements:
- A letter from your main named placement school and ideally your second school for a contrasting 5-day placement in the spring term stating they are willing to host you in their school and provide you with a mentor
- The mentor must be proficient in English to undertake the assessments and converse with university staff. The Letter/s will be confirmed later by the school’s agreement to the iQTS Partnership Agreement
- UK based applicants will need to supply an International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) together with your application form*
- A Certificate of Good Conduct from any country (other than the UK) that you have taught in over the last 5 years*
* Your ICPC and Certificate of Good Conduct must be valid at the start date of the IQTS programme.
**Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:
- Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
- The date of the translation
- The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
- The translator’s contact details
A list of approved translators can be found on the UK Government website.
Please note: failure to submit any documentation when requested, may result in your application being withdrawn.
Evidence of good health
If your application successfully progresses to offer stage, an offer will be made subject to you meeting the course’s health requirements. You will be required to complete a Health Questionnaire via an external agency, Optima Health, to demonstrate good health for joining the course.
Full details of the programme modules and content will be announced upon final validation.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
Teaching and Learning
This course is delivered through online learning combined with in school learning and practice placements. Your online learning will involve:
- live sessions with tutors or guest speakers (all sessions recorded to view afterwards)
- discussion around topics in the virtual cafes and digital forums
- Exploring case studies
- Independent study
- Digital workshops and seminars
- Practice Placements
In line with the International Teachers' Standards (2021), you'll develop your work-based learning through school-based placements. You will be supported to teach all subjects in the Primary curriculum and assessed in all curriculum subjects. A minimum of 120 days of placement experience gained during the course are required.
You will attend 2 assessed placements (14 weeks and 11 weeks in duration) in quality assured settings as well as a non-assessed placement (5 weeks) to focus on a specific area of practice that you need to develop. If you are currently employed by a school and will undertake your placements there, they will need to confirm that they can support you during the course, including time to undertake taught sessions and to engage with the reflective process necessary for success on the course.
You will follow one of two routes:
- 3-7 years, or
- 5-11 years
The age group route you choose will determine the assessed placements you undertake. Please note that irrespective of the route undertaken, the qualification at the end will be the same.
Your two placements are required to be taken in adjacent age groups, and not in the same age group. For instance, 3-5 years and 5-7 years, or 5-7 years and 7-11 years.
During your placements, you'll be supported by your University Tutors, as well as a school-based Mentor. Your school will need to confirm that they have identified a mentor who is suitably qualified to support you, can be released for specific mentor training and able to devote the time to effectively support you in the course.
Student Support and Guidance
Whilst we encourage our students to become independent, life-long learners, we also recognise that offering the right support and guidance will help you to achieve your goals. There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor, through to our:
All these services, and more, are available to you as an online student at the University of Derby.
Study Skills
Many of our students have not studied for a long time so we put in place support to enable them to study at postgraduate level. If this applies to you, there are several advanced study skill resources available, covering areas such as research skills, critical evaluation in academic context, literature search, referencing, plagiarism and more.
Pace of study
This course is completed full-time over 1 year.
The course is delivered over two semesters, totalling 47 weeks in duration.
Your placements will run from around September to December, January to February and February to May, with adjustments made to reflect local holidays and school terms. You will commence both taught modules in September 2023, completing the 20-credit module by December and the 40-credit module by June 2024.
Assessment method
This course is assessed through coursework and placement-based assessments.
Modules incorporate formative and summative assessments. Assessment would include formative tasks such as presentations, leading seminars and discussions, through to the summative written and practical activities. Ongoing feedback (written/ verbal) will be provided from tutors and peers during taught sessions and placement experiences, helping you to understand your strengths and areas for development towards International Qualified Teacher Status.
Student support and guidance
Whilst we encourage our students to become independent, life-long learners, we also recognise that offering the right support and guidance will help you to achieve your goals. There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor, through to our:
All these services, and more, are available to you as an online student at the University of Derby.
Study Skills
Many of our students have not studied for a long time, so we put in place support to enable them to study at postgraduate level. If this applies to you, there are several advanced study skill resources available, covering areas such as research skills, critical evaluation in academic context, literature search, referencing, plagiarism and more.
Course Duration
This iQTS course is completed part-time over one year.
The course is 47 weeks in duration, delivered over three terms.
Your placements will run from September to December, January to March and April to June, with adjustments made to reflect local holidays and school terms.
Typically, you will have 5 hours per week directed by the university, plus a further 15 hours per week implementing your learning in placement.
Assessment method
This course is assessed through placement-based assessments, as described above.
Modules incorporate formative and summative assessments; with formative tasks such as presentations, leading seminars and discussions, through to the summative written and practical activities. Ongoing feedback (written/ verbal) will be provided by your tutors, your mentor and peers during taught sessions and placement experiences, helping you to understand your strengths and areas for development towards International Qualified Teacher Status.
How to apply
Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.
Shortlisted applications will be invited for an interview with members of the Programme Team which will be held via Microsoft Teams.
Interview information
Documents to support your application
In support of your application, you will need to provide the following items. Please ensure you provide all requested items together with your application form to be considered for the course.
- Official photo identification such as a passport or driving licence
- Current CV detailing your full employment history and teaching experience
- Letters from national authorities where you have conducted a teaching role, confirming there are no imposed restrictions or conditions of your teaching. Letters to be addressed to ‘The Admissions Tutor: IPGCE (with iQTS)' and dated within the last 6 months.
- Two written references supplied. Please note:
- References to be supplied on headed paper from either a manager, supervisor, tutor or teacher
- References must be addressed to ‘The Admissions Tutor: IPGCE (with iQTS)’. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider applications where References are broadly addressed such as ‘To Whom it May Concern’
- Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications*
- Evidence of your placements:
- A letter from your main named placement school and ideally your second school for a contrasting 5-week placement in the spring term stating that they are willing to host you in their school and provide you with a mentor. (The mentor must be proficient in English to undertake the assessments and converse with university staff). The Letter/s will be confirmed later by the school’s agreement to the IPGCE Partnership Agreement
*Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:
- Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
- The date of the translation
- The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
- The translator’s contact details
A list of approved translators can be found on the UK Gov website.
The IPGCE with iQTS gives you a highly respected route into primary teaching, across the world. You will automatically be recommended for English QTS from the UK government Department for Education upon successful completion of this course.
As a graduate of this course and ultimately becoming a teacher with internationally recognised qualified teacher status, you can pursue a career in teaching anywhere in the world, including in England. You may go into roles such as subject coordinator into a pastoral role. Ultimately, this course will hopefully increase your knowledge and confidence to go into leadership roles in schools.
You may choose to support the next generation of trainee teachers by stepping into a Mentoring role yourself.
Upon completing this course, you may wish to go on to complete a full Masters award such as our online MA Education which offers specialist pathways in Leadership and Management or TESOL. It would then be possible for you to progress onto Doctoral level study such as our Doctor of Education EdD (online).