The Assessment Only (AO) route
The University of Hertfordshire is an accredited and approved provider of the Assessment Only (AO) route into teaching, working in partnership with schools across:
- Hertfordshire
- Bedfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Essex
- and the North London Boroughs.
The AO route allows you to demonstrate that you already meet all of the standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) without the need for any further training.
Assessment Only route requirements
You will need to present detailed evidence, and your teaching will be assessed in a school by University of Hertfordshire tutors.
In all cases you must already be working in a school in the area we cover and have the full support of your school. You must also take the professional skills tests in literacy and numeracy before you can be assessed.
The AO route is not Initial Teacher Training and all applicants must be fully ready for assessment at the time of application. The application and interview process will cover this and places are only allocated when full requirements are met.
Assessment on the AO route is for QTS after which the full requirements for 'Newly Qualified Teachers' apply including the NQT Induction Year.
What is the time scale?
The maximum time allowed for the AO route is three months from the point a place is allocated to the Final Assessment.
How much does it cost?
There is no funding for the AO route so full costs must be paid by applicants or their schools. There is no cost for the 'initial expression of interest'.
The costs apply at two points:
- The first payment is for the application and interview process.
- The second payment is for the programme and Final Assessment.
Who should apply for AO?
Overseas trained teachers
If you have a recognised teaching qualification from another country within the European Economic Area or from Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the United States of America it is possible that you may be granted QTS without further assessment.
In this case you need to apply to the Department for Education so that your status may be assessed.
If you have a recognised teacher qualification from any other country than those listed above or you are not granted QTS without further assessment, you can apply for QTS through the AO route.
Specific requirements apply and these are set out on our application form.
Please start by completing the initial expression of interest form.
Post-16 PGCE or QTLS (England)
If you are a Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) holder teaching in a school, but do not wish to maintain your Institute for Learning (IfL) membership, you can apply for QTS through the AO route.
Specific requirements apply and these are set out on our application form.
Please start by completing the initial expression of interest form.
Significant teaching experience in England – but no teaching qualification
If you are a graduate with a good honours degree and at least 1 year full time teaching experience (or equivalent) you may be eligible to apply for QTS through the AO route.
There are significant requirements for you and for your school and these are set out in our application form.
Further details are also on the Department for Education website.
If you believe this is the right route for you, please start by completing the initial expression of interest form.
Other questions?
Visit the Department for Education website if you have other general questions about the Assessment Only (AO) route.
The Overseas Trained Teacher Programme (OTTP)
This programme has been closed by the DfE effective from 31.7.2013. Teachers who qualified as teachers in a country outside the UK and who do not meet the DfE requirements for having QTS awarded without further assessment, may wish to consider the Assessment Only option as a means of gaining QTS.
How to apply
Complete the Assessment Only Initial Expression of Interest form to begin your application process.
If you meet the requirements you will be sent an application form.
Please note the requirement of at least GCSE Grade C in Mathematics and English (and for the Primary route at least GCSE Grade C in Science in addition). The University of Hertfordshire does not accept 'Equivalency Tests' as an alternative to GCSE grade C or above.
Find out more about our entry requirements.
The AO route has flexible start points so there are no application deadlines.