Overseas Qualified Candidates

A New, Free QTS Route for Overseas Teachers

Some overseas teachers now have a different path to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

On 7 August 2025, the Department for Education launched a new, free service for qualified teachers from many countries, which include: Australia, Canada, the European Economic Area (EEA), Ghana, India, Jamaica, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Jersey, New Zealand, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the USA. This new service is an alternative to our paid Assessment Only route.

While our programme is a quick three-month process, the DfE's free path can take up to twelve months, and candidates must manage the application themselves. The DfE has specific requirements, such as having a university degree, a teaching qualification from one of the eligible countries, and a completed induction period.

We encourage potential candidates to check the official government guidance to see if they qualify for this alternative route before making any application to Astra for Assessment Only: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-trained-teachers-apply-for-qualified-teacher-status-in-england/overseas-trained-teachers-apply-for-qualified-teacher-status-in-england