Eligible maths and English qualifications
Eligible maths and English qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Please note that we only accept full formal qualifications (not CPD awards).
Updated 06/12/2021.
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 at GCSE.
QTLS and ATS participants will need a minimum Level 2 qualification in both English and maths, regardless of their subject specialism.
Please note that if you teach English and/or maths you are required to hold a Level 3 qualification in these subjects. 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 which lead to a qualification, e.g. Functional Skills.
The following qualifications are accepted by SET, but please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you have any queries about whether your qualification would be acceptable for you to register for QTLS or ATS, please contact membership@etfoundation.co.uk with a scanned copy/photograph of your certificate and accompanying transcript. If your qualification was gained outside the UK, you will also need to forward a UK ENIC statement of comparability.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Level 2 maths and English skills
English qualifications:
- New GCSE English (from September 2017) 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)
- 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
Maths qualifications:
- New GCSE Mathematics (from September 2017) grades 4-9
- GCSE Mathematics A*-C
- O Level Mathematics any pass grade (grades 1-6)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
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
- 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
Maths qualifications:
- European Baccalaureate
- International Baccalaureate
- University of Cambridge International GCSE Mathematics
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 maths and English skills:
English qualifications:
- Trinity Integrated Skills – ISE 4 (Common European Framework)
- Edexcel International Test of English (Pearson) – Level 4 (CEF)
For further information please download the guide to comparing qualifications in the UK and Ireland.
For queries regarding any other qualifications not listed above, please contact the Professional Formation team via email at membership@etfoundation.co.uk