QTLS Maths Requirement: Level 3 Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching Explained

Your teaching qualification is one part of QTLS eligibility. You may also need a qualification in the subject you teach.

The QTLS maths requirement matters if you teach maths, numeracy, GCSE Mathematics or Functional Skills Mathematics. The Society for Education and Training (SET) sets the rules. It also lists accepted maths and English qualifications.

Applicants generally need accepted maths and English qualifications at Level 2 or above. Do you teach maths or English for five or more hours per week? If so, SET requires an accepted Level 3 or higher qualification in that subject. This includes numeracy, GCSE, Functional Skills and ESOL teaching.

SET's list includes the Level 3 Award in Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching. It can meet the Level 3 maths subject requirement where SET's criteria apply.

For English, the list includes the Level 3 Award in English for Literacy and Language Teaching. Check SET's criteria and the SJA Level 3 English course before choosing your route.

The maths award does not give you QTLS on its own. You must meet all other rules and complete Professional Formation.

See the SJA Level 3 Award in Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching for course details.

Not every QTLS applicant needs Level 3 maths. Check the rules for your teaching role before you enrol.

SET has a general maths and English requirement. It also has a higher requirement for some subject teachers. Applicants generally need accepted maths and English qualifications at Level 2 or above.

The Level 3 or higher rule applies if you teach maths or English for five or more hours per week. It includes numeracy, GCSE, Functional Skills and ESOL teaching.

A business or engineering teacher may not teach maths as a subject. Working towards QTLS does not mean they automatically need this award. A Functional Skills Maths teacher should check their subject qualification and teaching hours carefully.

Before you enrol, check:

• What subject do you teach?
• How many hours per week do you teach it?
• Which SET criteria apply to you?
• Is your existing qualification on SET's accepted list?

Compare the SJA Level 3 Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching course with that list.

Yes. SET's accepted list includes the Level 3 Award in mathematics for numeracy teaching. It is an accepted Level 3 maths qualification.

It can meet the QTLS maths requirement where the Level 3 subject rule applies. It does not award QTLS by itself. You must meet all eligibility criteria and complete Professional Formation.

Check the current SET QTLS eligibility guidance before choosing a course or applying.

You can also review the SJA Level 3 Award in Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching.

The Focus Awards Level 3 Award in Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching (RQF) is a regulated qualification. It builds your maths knowledge for study, everyday life and work.

The qualification number is 601/7798/6. It carries 12 credits. It has 60 guided learning hours and 120 hours of total qualification time.

Focus Awards says the award is aimed at people who want to work in a school support role. It sets no extra entry requirements. Centres may set their own requirements.

Teachers and trainers can also use it to build recognised maths subject knowledge. SET includes the award on its accepted maths list. The award itself does not give you QTLS.

Read the full SJA Level 3 Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching course information before you enrol.

The current Focus Awards specification confirms that the qualification consists of three mandatory units, each worth 6 credits and 30 GLH. Together they make the full 12-credit award.

You must complete all three units. You will explore maths in study, everyday life and work.

The award is more than a maths refresher. It develops knowledge that you can use in a range of settings.

Being able to calculate an answer is only part of teaching maths. You also need to explain how and why a method works.

Numeracy teachers help learners spot errors and understand new ideas. They choose clear examples and link maths to real tasks.

For example, a learner may calculate a percentage but struggle with percentage change. Another may confuse area with perimeter. Some can do sums but find tables, graphs or money information hard to read.

The award's three units explore maths in study, everyday life and work. This gives you a broad base for teaching numeracy.

If you need recognised subject knowledge, review the Level 3 mathematics qualification.

No. Functional Skills Mathematics and the Level 3 Award in Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching have different purposes.

Functional Skills Maths develops practical skills for life, study and work. The Level 3 award develops maths subject knowledge for numeracy teaching. It covers academic subjects, personal and public life, and professional and vocational contexts.

Choose the course that meets your exact requirement. An employer may ask for Functional Skills Maths. Do not assume this Level 3 award can replace it.

For the QTLS maths requirement, SET's accepted list includes the Level 3 Award in mathematics for numeracy teaching.

Check the SJA course page and SET's current criteria before you choose.

For a practical numeracy qualification, read the Functional Skills Maths Level 2 guide. If an entry requirement mentions a GCSE or equivalent, use our Functional Skills Level 2 vs GCSE comparison to prepare questions for the receiving organisation. Neither search term establishes whether a qualification meets your particular QTLS maths requirement.

Teaching skills, subject knowledge and professional status are separate parts of your route. One qualification does not cover them all.

SJA's Level 3 AET, Level 4 CET and Level 5 Diploma in Teaching address teaching development at different stages.

The maths award develops subject knowledge. It can sit alongside your teaching qualification. It does not replace it. Check your teaching hours against the QTLS subject rules.

Review the SJA mathematics qualification and the Level 3 vs Level 4 vs Level 5 Education & Training guide.

It can help. SET's Level 3 subject rule includes Functional Skills teachers who teach the relevant subject for five or more hours per week.

Check whether your existing maths qualification is on SET's accepted list. The Level 3 Award in Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching is one of the listed awards.

This does not automatically qualify you to teach Functional Skills Maths in every setting. Employers may set extra requirements. You still need suitable teaching skills.

Compare the SJA Level 3 Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching with SET's current criteria. The SJA course details explain delivery and assessment.

Focus Awards uses internal assessment and external quality assurance. You build a portfolio to show that you meet each unit's learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

Evidence may include:

• Assessor observations and witness testimony
• Learner work, worksheets and assignments
• Projects and reports
• Oral and written questions
• Learner or peer reports
• Recognition of Prior Learning, where it applies

This is more than a maths exam. Your provider will explain which evidence you need and how to submit it.

New to portfolios? Read SJA's Assessor IQA Portfolio Evidence Tips. Your own qualification's assessment rules always take priority.

Yes. SJA offers the Level 3 Award in Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching through flexible online learning.

You can fit study around work. Before you enrol, check how the online course and its assessment work.

You must still complete the portfolio and meet all assessment criteria. Online access does not remove these requirements.

Read SJA's guide to balancing work and online study for practical study tips.

Visit the SJA Level 3 Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching course page for current delivery details.

1. Check your QTLS position. Confirm whether you actually need a Level 3 maths qualification.
2. Check your teaching hours. Compare your subject and weekly teaching hours with SET's rules.
3. Check the accepted list. Verify the qualification against the current SET information.
4. Check the qualification number. The Focus Awards qualification is 601/7798/6.
5. Check the three units. Confirm that the provider is delivering the full current 12-credit qualification.
6. Check assessment. Understand the portfolio evidence required.
7. Check your wider QTLS pathway. This award does not replace the Level 5 teaching qualification or Professional Formation requirements.

After these checks, review the SJA Level 3 Award in Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching to decide whether it fits your plan.

Use the Current QTLS Maths and English Eligibility Guidance

ETF’s eligible maths and English qualifications list includes the Level 3 Award in Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching and the corresponding English award. Check the current list and eligibility guidance for your application cohort. The subject award is one part of the requirements; teaching qualifications, teaching responsibilities and Professional Formation also matter.

If you are searching for a Level 3 maths qualification or comparing what Level 3 maths is equivalent to, check the specific award and credits. A qualification’s level describes difficulty, while its size and content determine the learning covered. This award is distinct from a full A level, GCSE Mathematics and Functional Skills Maths.

Review the SJA Maths award and, where relevant, the SJA English award against your own requirements before choosing.

Assuming Every QTLS Applicant Needs Level 3 Maths

Do you teach maths or English for five or more hours per week? The Level 3 subject rule applies, including numeracy, GCSE, Functional Skills and ESOL. Other applicants should check the general rule.

Thinking This Award Gives QTLS

It does not. It can meet the relevant maths requirement. You must also meet the other QTLS rules and complete Professional Formation.

Confusing It With Functional Skills Maths

The qualifications have different purposes. Check the exact requirement you are trying to satisfy.

Thinking a Teaching Qualification Replaces Subject Knowledge

AET, CET or a Level 5 teaching qualification develops teaching competence. It does not automatically demonstrate specialist mathematics subject knowledge.

Using an Outdated QTLS Checklist

SET requirements can change. Always use the current official information before applying.

Assuming a Level 3 Maths Certificate Is Automatically Accepted

For QTLS, use SET's accepted qualification information rather than relying on a provider's marketing description.

What is the QTLS maths requirement?

SET generally requires accepted Level 2 or above maths and English qualifications.

If you teach maths or English for five or more hours per week, you need an accepted Level 3 or higher award in that subject. This includes numeracy, GCSE, Functional Skills and ESOL.

Is the Level 3 Award in Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching accepted for QTLS?

Yes. SET's accepted list includes the Level 3 Award in mathematics for numeracy teaching.

Does this qualification give me QTLS?

No. It can form part of the QTLS pathway, but QTLS has additional eligibility and Professional Formation requirements.

Do I need this qualification if I teach business or engineering?

Not automatically. If you do not teach maths or English for five or more hours per week, the subject-specific Level 3 requirement may not apply.

Check your current SET criteria.

Is this the same as Functional Skills Maths?

No. They are different qualifications with different purposes.

How many credits is the qualification?

The current Focus Awards qualification is worth 12 credits and contains three mandatory 6-credit units.

Can I study it online?

Yes. SJA offers flexible online delivery.

Start by checking your teaching subject and weekly hours. The QTLS maths requirement does not apply in the same way to every teacher.

Do you teach maths or English for five or more hours per week? Check SET's Level 3 subject rule. This includes numeracy, GCSE, Functional Skills and ESOL teaching.

SET's accepted list includes the Level 3 Award in mathematics for numeracy teaching. The award can meet the maths subject requirement where the criteria apply.

You must also meet the other QTLS rules. These cover your teaching qualification, teaching practice, employment and SET requirements. You then need to complete Professional Formation.

Use SET's official criteria first. Then compare the course units, delivery and assessment. Review the SJA Level 3 Award in Mathematics for Numeracy Teaching as part of that choice.

For your wider route, explore SJA's Level 5 Diploma in Teaching and Teacher Training qualifications.

Check that the SJA maths award fits your role before you enrol.