This page outlines the English and maths qualifications we accept for QTLS and ATS, helping you understand the requirements you need to meet before applying. 

  • You must have been awarded and certificated for Level 2 English and maths qualifications on our eligible list, before registering for professional formation leading to QTLS or Advanced Teacher Status (ATS).
  • If you hold a graded qualification this should be the equivalent of a Grade C or minimum of Grade 4 at GCSE.
  • QTLS and ATS participants will need a minimum Level 2 qualification in both English and maths, regardless of their subject specialism.


Important information

  • Please note that we only accept full formal Ofqual regulated qualifications (not CPD awards).
  • Level 2 Adult Literacy or Level 2 Adult Numeracy qualifications are not accepted.
  • If you teach maths and/or English for 5 or more hours per week, you will need to hold an accepted Level 3 or higher qualification. 
    • However, if you teach in a SEND setting, where you embed English and maths as part of a life skills curriculum, we would only ask for a Level 2 qualification in these subjects - unless your timetable/portfolio states you deliver discrete sessions of maths or English, either as standalone subjects or whcih lead to a qualification, e.g. Functional Skills.
  • If your qualification was gained outside the UK, you will also need to provide a UK ENIC statement of comparability.

 

Last updated May 2026.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Level 2 maths and English skills 

English qualifications: 

  • GCSE English grades 4-9 (Language or Literature) 
  • GCSE English A*-C (Language or Literature) 
  • O Level English (Language or Literature) any pass grade (grades 1-6 or grades A-C) 
  • CSE grade 1 English (Language or Literature) 
  • Functional Skills in English Level 2 and above (OFQUAL approved) 
  • Key Skills Communication Level 2 and above 
  • Professional Skills Test in Literacy (DfE) 
  • ESOL Skills for Life examinations at Level 2 (full qualification) 
  • Northern Ireland Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills – Communication 
  • OCNW/OCN Level 2 GCSE equivalent in English 
  • Certificates in Essential Skills (3800) 
  • Equivalency Testing for Career Development (GCSE equivalent) L2 English - Grades 9 – 4 
  • IBSL Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language Studies (QCF)
  • Signature Level 2 NVQ Certificate in British Sign Language (QCF)

  

Maths qualifications: 

  • GCSE Mathematics grades 4-9 
  • GCSE Mathematics A*-C 
  • GCSE Methods in Mathematics grades A-C (full course) 
  • O Level Mathematics any pass grade (grades 1-6 or grades A-C) 
  • CSE grade 1 Mathematics 
  • Functional Skills in Mathematics Level 2 and above (OFQUAL approved) 
  • Key Skills Application of Number – Level 2 and above 
  • Professional Skills Test in Numeracy (DfE) 
  • Associated Examining Board (AEB) Proficiency Test in Arithmetic 
  • City & Guilds Certificate in Mathematics Skills (14 credits) 
  • City & Guilds Certificate in Mathematical Techniques (13 credits) 
  • Essential Skills Wales in Application of Number Level 2 
  • NCFE Certificate in Basic Maths Level 2 
  • Northern Ireland Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills – Application of Number 
  • Certificates in Essential Skills (3800) 
  • University of Plymouth maths equivalency test 
  • Equivalency Testing for Career Development (GCSE equivalent) L2 Maths - Grades 9 - 4 

  

Level 3 maths and English skills 

English qualifications: 

  • A Level English Language 
  • AS Level English Language 
  • A Level English Language and Literature 
  • AS Level English Language and Literature 
  • A Level Communication Studies 
  • AS Level Communication Studies 
  • Oxford College Certificate of Diploma Education in English Literature 
  • IBSL Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language Studies (QCF) 
  • Signature Level 3 NVQ Certificate in British Sign Language (QCF) 
  • Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Level 3 
  • Certificate in Delivering Basic Skills to Adults (City & Guilds Wales) 
  • 14-19 Diplomas (higher and advanced) – England 
  • Level 3 Award in English for literacy and language teaching 
  • Level 3 (120 hours) TEFL teaching English certificate 

 

Maths qualifications: 

  • A Level Mathematics 
  • AS Level Mathematics 
  • Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Level 3 
  • Certificate in Delivering Basic Skills to Adults (City & Guilds Wales) 
  • 14-19 Diplomas (higher and advanced) – must include Functional Skills Mathematics at Level 2 
  • Level 3 Award in mathematics for numeracy teaching 
  • Secondary mathematics TSST (Teacher Subject Specialist Training) certificate 
  • AQA Certificate Level 3 mathematical studies 

  

Level 4 maths and English skills 

English qualifications: 

  • Degrees in English Language/Literature/Communication 
  • Additional Diploma in Teaching English (Literacy) in the Lifelong Learning Sector 
  • Additional Diploma in Teaching English (ESOL) in the Lifelong Learning Sector 
  • Diploma in Teaching English (Literacy) in the Lifelong Learning Sector 
  • Diploma in Teaching English (ESOL) in the Lifelong Learning Sector 
  • Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (English Literacy) 
  • Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (English ESOL) 
  • Subsidary Diploma  in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (English Literacy) 
  • Certificate for adult literacy subject specialists 
  • Certificate for adult ESOL subject specialists 
  • Signature Level 4 NVQ Certificate in British Sign Language (QCF) 
  • Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) 
  • Diploma in teaching English to Adults (DELTA) (Cambridge ESOL) 
  • The Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Cert TESOL) 
  • Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)  
  • Advanced Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) (160 hours) 
  • Trinity Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Level 7 
  • Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (that are, or have been, available from such awarding institutions as Cambridge ESOL, Trinity College London and RSA) 
  • MA in TESOL 

 

Maths qualifications: 

  • BA or BSc or BEd or higher degree in Mathematics 
  • Diploma in Teaching Mathematics (Numeracy) in the Lifelong Learning Sector 
  • Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (Mathematics Numeracy) 
  • Additional Diploma in Teaching Mathematics (Numeracy) in the Lifelong Learning Sector 
  • Subsidary Diploma  in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (Mathematics Numeracy) 
  • Certificate for adult numeracy subject specialists 

 

Ireland 

Level 2 maths and English skills:  

  • Leaving certificate (Level 4) 

 

Level 3 maths and English skills: 

  • Leaving certificate (Level 5) 

 

Level 4 maths and English skills: 

  • Advanced certificate 
  • Higher certificate 

  

Scotland 

Level 2 maths and English skills:  

English qualifications: 

  • English Intermediate 2 (Credit standard grade) 
  • SVQ Level 2 
  • Core Skills Communication – Intermediate 2 and above 
  • ESOL National Qualification – Intermediate 2 and above 

 

Maths qualifications: 

  • Mathematics Intermediate 2 (Credit standard grade) 
  • SVQ Level 2 
  • Core Skills Numeracy – Intermediate 2 and above 
  • Scottish Certificate in Arithmetic – Ordinary level 

  

Level 3 maths and English skills: 

  • SVQ Level 3 (Highers) 

 

Level 4 maths and English skills: 

  • SVQ Level 3 (Advanced Highers) 

 

European and international 

Level 2 maths and English skills: 

English qualifications: 

  • European Baccalaureate 
  • International Baccalaureate 
  • University of Cambridge International GCSE English (iGCSE) 
  • CEFR C1 level (English) 

 

Maths qualifications: 

  • European Baccalaureate 
  • International Baccalaureate
  • University of Cambridge International GCSE Mathematics (iGCSE) 

 

Level 3 maths and English skills: 

English qualifications: 

  • Trinity Integrated Skills – ISE 3 (Common European Framework) 
  • Edexcel International Test of English (Pearson) – Level 3 (CEF) 
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System) – score 6.5 and above 
  • European Baccalaureate 
  • International Baccalaureate 

  

Level 4 English skills: 

  • Trinity Integrated Skills – ISE 4 (Common European Framework) 
  • Edexcel International Test of English (Pearson) – Level 4 (CEF) 

 

For queries regarding any other qualifications not listed above, please contact the Professional Formation team via email at membership@etfoundation.co.uk