Qualified outside England

Teachers who have gained a teaching qualification outside of England may be eligible to gain Qualified Teacher Status via the following routes:

UK NARIC can advise on the comparability of international qualifications to those in the UK.

Overseas Trained Teacher Programme (OTTP)

Target candidate: Degree recognised in the UK; Overseas teaching qualification (outside European Economic Area); Working as an unqualified teacher in England
Duration: up to 1 year maximum
Salary: Yes

Colleagues who gained a teaching qualification overseas (outside the EEA) and are employed as a teacher in a school in England may be eligible for the OTTP which recognises this prior experience.

Its duration depends on the amount of training required; some teachers need assessment only, others stay on the programme for up to a year.  OTT s must meet the degree and GCSE eligibility criteria for postgraduate initial teacher training.

Those with at least two years’ experience may be exempted from the Induction Standards and NQT year.

A four year rule applies to OTTs. Teachers who are not EEA nationals and not otherwise entitled to work in the UK require a work permit; this cannot be extended beyond four years unless QTS is gained during this time. Following this period, only non-employment based routes would be applicable and tuition fee and funding arrangements for international students may apply.

Apply directly to EBITT providers.

For more information contact the TDA:

Detailed information from the TDA: Overseas trained teachers

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