Yes, potentially. The key is the teaching setting.

If you want to teach in maintained primary, secondary or special schools in England, QTS is normally the relevant professional status and a degree is normally part of the route. GOV.UK explains the settings in which QTS is required and the routes available to qualified teachers. citeturn0search0

If your goal is to teach adults, apprentices, vocational learners or other post-14 learners in Further Education and Skills, the route is different. You may be able to become a teacher without a degree by developing the required subject expertise, completing an accepted FE and Skills teaching qualification and meeting the relevant professional requirements.

The important point is that “without a degree” does not mean “without qualifications”. It means the FE and Skills route can recognise a different combination of subject expertise, teaching qualification and professional practice.

If you want the full picture of the no-degree route, see SJA's teacher-without-a-degree guide as the main reference for this topic.

Understanding QTLS and QTS is essential before deciding how to become a teacher without a degree.

QTS is Qualified Teacher Status and is the standard qualified-teacher status for many school teaching roles in England. QTLS is Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills, a professional status for teachers and trainers in the post-16 education and training sector.

The Department for Education recognises QTLS with active SET membership as QTS via QTLS in England, and the teacher-record service uses the designation “QTS via QTLS”. citeturn0search0turn0search3

However, QTLS should not be described as simply another name for QTS. QTLS is awarded through the Society for Education and Training (SET) following its own eligibility and Professional Formation requirements.

For the official school-teaching position, read GOV.UK's QTS guidance.

Yes. A bachelor's degree is not listed as a standalone requirement for QTLS. However, the current SET eligibility criteria contain several requirements that must be met together.

These include an accepted Level 5 or above FE and Skills teaching qualification, appropriate FE and Skills employment and teaching practice, accepted English and maths qualifications, relevant subject qualifications where required, SET membership and the other conditions specified by SET. citeturn0search1

So if your goal is to become a teacher without a degree, you should think of QTLS as a professional pathway rather than a shortcut. You need to satisfy the eligibility requirements and then successfully complete Professional Formation.

Always check the current SET QTLS eligibility checklist before making a qualification or career decision because professional requirements can change.

If you want to become a teacher without a degree through the FE and Skills route, think in terms of five connected stages.

1. Build relevant subject expertise. Your teaching qualification does not replace specialist subject knowledge. Make sure your existing qualifications and occupational experience are appropriate for the subject you intend to teach.
2. Develop teaching knowledge and skills. Choose a teacher-training qualification appropriate to your experience and intended setting.
3. Complete an accepted Level 5 FE and Skills teaching qualification. This is a key part of current QTLS eligibility.
4. Meet the wider SET requirements. Check employment, teaching practice, English and maths, subject qualifications, membership and supporter requirements.
5. Complete QTLS Professional Formation. QTLS is not automatically awarded when you receive your teaching qualification.

These stages do not mean that every learner must complete Level 3, then Level 4, then Level 5. Your starting point should depend on your experience and the requirements of the qualification you need.

Teaching expertise and subject expertise are different. Someone may be an excellent engineer, accountant, healthcare professional or business practitioner but still need to develop the pedagogical knowledge required for effective teaching.

Conversely, completing a teaching qualification does not automatically make someone occupationally expert in every subject.

SET's QTLS criteria include relevant subject qualifications in specified circumstances. The exact requirement depends on the subject and your teaching context, so do not assume that any Level 3 qualification will automatically satisfy the requirement.

If you are planning to become a teacher without a degree, identify your intended teaching subject first and then check what subject qualification and occupational experience are expected.

SJA's Teacher Training courses can then help you compare the teaching-development side of the pathway.

The Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET) can be a valuable teaching qualification for people developing their teaching knowledge and practical skills.

It can be relevant to people already involved in teaching, training or learner support who want a more substantial qualification than an introductory award. SJA's Level 4 CET includes practical teaching requirements.

However, if your specific goal is QTLS, do not confuse the CET with the QTLS eligibility qualification. Current SET criteria require an accepted Level 5 or above FE and Skills teaching qualification. citeturn0search1

That means the CET can be part of professional development, but it should not be advertised or understood as automatically awarding QTLS.

The Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) is particularly important for professionals who want a full FE teaching qualification and may later pursue QTLS.

SJA's Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE and Skills) includes professional teaching practice and is designed around the FE and Skills teaching context.

Do not assume that every qualification labelled “Level 5” is automatically accepted for QTLS. SET publishes accepted teaching qualifications and its current eligibility criteria should be checked before enrolling.

If you want to become a teacher without a degree and QTLS is part of your long-term plan, this is the stage where careful qualification selection becomes particularly important.

A major difference between simply studying education and becoming a practising teacher is the need to demonstrate teaching competence.

Depending on the qualification and QTLS route, you may need to teach post-14 learners in an appropriate FE and Skills setting and meet defined teaching-practice requirements. SET's current eligibility criteria should be checked for the precise hours, employment and learner requirements that apply to you. citeturn0search1

This is why people planning to become a teacher without a degree should think about their practical teaching environment before enrolling. A fully online learning platform does not remove a qualification's practical teaching requirements.

SJA's micro-teaching guide explains how planning, delivery, observation, feedback and reflection can support teaching development, while higher-level qualifications may require more sustained professional teaching practice.

If QTLS is your destination, check the current SET criteria rather than relying on old blog posts or social-media advice.

• Appropriate SET membership
• Relevant FE and Skills employment and teaching practice
• An accepted Level 5 or above FE and Skills teaching qualification
• Accepted English and maths qualifications
• Relevant subject qualifications where required
• A suitably qualified supporter for Professional Formation
• Any additional conditions applicable to your circumstances

SET can change its requirements, so the official QTLS eligibility checklist should be treated as the current authority.

Anyone researching how to become a teacher without a degree should verify these requirements before selecting a course.

This is where careful wording matters. QTLS is a professional status associated with the FE and Skills sector, but the Department for Education recognises QTLS with active SET membership as QTS via QTLS in England. citeturn0search3

GOV.UK also explains that an experienced post-14 teacher with QTLS and SET membership may be eligible to work as a qualified teacher in schools in England. citeturn0search0

This does not mean every school job is automatically available to every QTLS holder. Employers and schools still make recruitment decisions, and individual posts can have subject, experience or other requirements.

Therefore, it is reasonable to say that QTLS can provide a route to recognised qualified-teacher status in England for someone who did not first obtain a bachelor's degree, provided the relevant requirements are met. It is not accurate to say that completing a Level 5 course automatically gives you QTS or QTLS.

If you want to become a teacher without a degree, teaching is not the only education-related career option.

You could first develop experience as a Teaching Assistant or Higher Level Teaching Assistant, particularly if your interest is school-based learning support. Read SJA's Teaching Assistant vs HLTA guide for a detailed comparison.

Professionals with vocational expertise may also consider assessment. SJA's Assessor and Quality Assurance courses provide a separate route into vocational assessment and internal quality assurance.

These are different professional pathways, so choose according to the work you actually want to perform.

Avoid choosing a teaching qualification simply because it is the next level available. Before enrolling, answer five questions:

1. Where do I want to teach? School, FE college, adult education, private training or workplace learning?
2. Who do I want to teach? Children, young people, adults, apprentices or vocational learners?
3. What subject will I teach? Check the relevant subject knowledge requirements.
4. What professional status do I need? QTS and QTLS are different routes.
5. Can I complete the practical requirements? Check teaching hours, learners, observations and workplace support.

SJA's Level 3 vs Level 4 vs Level 5 Education & Training guide can help you compare qualification levels before making a decision.

Assuming There Is One UK-Wide Route

Teaching requirements differ by nation, sector and role. This guide focuses mainly on England because QTLS and the cited DfE guidance relate to England.

Thinking Level 4 CET Automatically Leads to QTLS

It does not. Current SET eligibility requires an accepted Level 5 or above FE and Skills teaching qualification.

Thinking Any Level 5 Qualification Is Accepted

Check SET's current accepted teaching-qualification information.

Thinking a Level 5 Certificate Automatically Gives QTLS

QTLS requires eligibility and successful Professional Formation.

Ignoring Teaching Practice

Professional teaching routes require genuine teaching practice. Online study does not remove practical requirements.

Confusing QTS and QTLS

They are separate professional statuses, although the DfE recognises QTLS with active SET membership as QTS via QTLS in England.

Can I become a teacher without a degree?

Yes, potentially, particularly through the FE and Skills route. The conventional maintained-school route in England normally involves a degree and QTS.

Can I get QTLS without a degree?

Yes, potentially. A degree is not a standalone QTLS requirement, but you must satisfy SET's current eligibility criteria and successfully complete Professional Formation.

Does the Level 4 CET give me QTLS?

No. The CET can support teaching development, but current QTLS eligibility requires an accepted Level 5 or above FE and Skills teaching qualification.

Does the Level 5 Diploma automatically give me QTLS?

No. The qualification is an important eligibility requirement, but QTLS is a separate professional status and Professional Formation must be completed successfully.

Do I need a Level 3 subject qualification?

SET's current criteria include relevant subject qualifications in specified circumstances. The exact requirement depends on your subject and teaching context.

Can QTLS be recognised as QTS?

The Department for Education recognises QTLS with active SET membership as QTS via QTLS in England, subject to the relevant conditions.

Can I study a teaching qualification online?

Some teaching qualifications are delivered online or through flexible learning, but practical teaching requirements still need to be completed where the qualification requires them.

If you want to become a teacher without a degree, start by identifying the setting and professional status you actually need. The FE and Skills route can provide opportunities for people with strong vocational or subject expertise who do not hold a bachelor's degree.

A realistic pathway may involve relevant subject knowledge, an appropriate teaching qualification, substantial teaching practice, an accepted Level 5 FE and Skills teaching qualification, SET eligibility and successful Professional Formation before QTLS is achieved.

The most important point is to avoid shortcuts and blanket claims. A Level 4 CET does not automatically give QTLS. A Level 5 qualification does not automatically give QTLS. And HLTA, QTLS and QTS are not interchangeable.

If you are ready to explore your options, compare SJA's Teacher Training qualifications, review the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE and Skills), and check the latest SET requirements before making a QTLS decision.