Professional Formation (QTLS) Terms and Conditions January 2026

These terms and conditions apply to any individual who has applied, is undertaking, or has undertaken professional formation leading to QTLS from 11^th August 2025 and supersede any previous terms and conditions. 

They also apply to individuals who are applying via an ETF Partner; in such instances additional or alternative terms and conditions may apply and these are clearly highlighted in the relevant clause.

You are still able to view previous terms and conditions for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) for the previous cohort:  

• Professional Formation Terms and Conditions 2025

By applying to undertake professional formation leading to QTLS, you agree to accept and be bound by these terms and conditions. The Society for Education and Training (SET), which is part of the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time. Programme participants will be notified by email of any changes.

Professional formation participants must be members and as such are bound by both the Terms and Conditions of Membership and Code of Ethics and Conduct.  

Gaining QTLS is a two-stage process:  

• Application  
• Professional formation 

Before applying 

Review the eligibility criteria 

1. Prior to applying, individuals are responsible for checking they meet the eligibility criteria in full. Individuals must use the full eligibility guidance available on our website to make an informed decision to ensure the programme is right for them. If individuals require clarification on any aspect of the eligibility criteria, they should contact the Customer Experience team by emailing membership@etfoundation.co.uk or calling the team on 0800 093 9111, Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:00pm. 
2. Before applying, individuals must also check that the qualifications they hold are on our approved lists for Initial Teacher Education, English, and Maths. 
3. Individuals must have access to original qualification certificates in advance of applying. Applicants who hold a qualification achieved outside of England, Wales or Northern Ireland will be required to have access to the original award certificate and an accompanying UK ENIC statement of comparability (formerly NARIC) prior to the application deadline. 

Application 

Become a SET member  

4. To register to apply for professional formation leading to QTLS, individuals must be an active member at either ‘Member’ or ‘Fellow’ grade. View the full details about the membership eligibility criteria and the membership application form.

Application process 

5. We only accept applications for QTLS applications during the official ‘application window’; please check the QTLS webpage for information on the dates for the next application window. 
6. individuals have to register to apply. On successful registration, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address associated with their membership.  
7. If an individual requires reasonable adjustments, they should read the Reasonable Adjustment policy and contact membership@etfoundation.co.uk during the registration process (or as early as possible) to discuss any further support required.  
8. Individuals wishing to undertake professional formation leading to QTLS must complete and submit a formal application portfolio during the application window (11 August to 20 October 2025). There are no exceptions to this
9. When submitting an application, applicants will apply for the next available professional formation cohort, currently January 2026. 

Application payments

10. The application fee is £50 and must be paid in full before the application portfolio is released. After payment has been confirmed, the applicant has an initial five day cooling off period, during which they can request a full refund of the £50 application fee, after which time the application fee is non-refundable. Fees from previous professional formation attempts cannot be transferred to cover the cost of this cohort's application fee (£50). If accepted onto the programme, the additional programme fees of £545 will then apply.
    
    The deadline for registering and paying the application fee is 20 October 2025.
    
    If an applicant’s employer is an ETF Partner and is funding their QTLS application (and programme) fees, arrangements for settlement will be made directly with the employing organisation. This will not affect the release of the application portfolio.    

Eligibility

11. Applicants must complete all sections of the application portfolio (About You,Roles & Responsibilities, Qualifications, and supply the supporting statement from the applicant’s ’supporter’). Applicants must also upload and submit the required qualification certificates by the application portfolio submission deadline. If the applicant does not complete the required sections of the application portfolio, including uploading copies of their certificates and submitting the application by the deadline, we will be unable to accept the application. 
12. By uploading the qualification certificates, the applicant is confirming that these are the original certificates and evidence of the qualifications and grade(s) achieved. Submitting fraudulent, altered and modified certificates will be considered as a breach of the Code of Ethics and Conduct. These acts are taken very seriously. In such circumstances, action will be taken against members in line with our Investigation and Disciplinary Policy and Procedures.
13. We will not review the application if the applicant has not uploaded all the required information and copies of certificates by the application deadline. In such cases the application portfolio will be withdrawn, once the deadline for submission has passed.
14. Applications will be reviewed and outcomes released throughout the application window. We cannot guarantee that they will be reviewed in chronological order, but all applications will be reviewed and applicants notified of the outcomes no later than Thursday 27 November 2025.

Final application submission

15. The final application portfolio submission deadline for the next cohort is 27 October 2025 at 5pm. Applicants can submit their completed application anytime between 11 August to 27 October 2025. 
16. To submit their finalised application, applicants will need to have fully completed all sections of their application, obtained a supporting statement from their 'supporter’, paid the full application fee (£50) and shared their application with us via the ePortfolio platform. Applicants must be active members to apply for professional formation, and once accepted onto the programme, to access their professional formation portfolio and to receive results/feedback. 
17. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to manage the relationship and communications with their supporter, and the participation of their supporter as required, at all stages of the application and professional formation process. Applicants should be aware that supporters may contact us to discuss applications they are supporting or to withdraw their support. If we receive notification that the supporter wishes to withdraw their support (for whatever reason), they will be asked to notify the applicant. In such cases it is the participant’s responsibility to identify a new supporter.

Extensions to the application submission deadline  

18. The application process does not allow for automatic extensions to the application deadline. However, an extension may be granted to an applicant where there are exceptional/extenuating circumstances that are out of their control. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and we may request evidence to support the request.
    
    Examples may include: 
    a. Reasonable adjustments form was submitted at the start of the programme and an extension has already been agreed. 
    b. Serious ongoing technical issues beyond the member’s control and identified more than five working days before the submission deadline. 
    c. Illness, accident or severe trauma or unexpected deterioration in an ongoing illness or chronic medical condition of the applicant or a person for whom the applicant has caring responsibility. 
    d. Recent bereavement of someone close to the applicant. 
    e. Serious personal disruption such as burglary, fire or requirement to appear in court in the lead up to the application submission deadline.  
    f. Significant change of employment circumstances.  

The team will consider progress made in the application when determining a reasonable extension period.

19. Where an extension is granted (which will be a maximum of 5 working days), confirmation will be provided via email. The application will then be reviewed alongside other submissions in that cohort. 
20. Applicants should apply for an extension by email to membership@etfoundation.co.uk no later than 15 working days before the application submission deadline. Where they have been prevented from submitting a request before the deadline by the same unforeseen event, they can apply for an extension up to five working days after the deadline. We will endeavour to respond before the deadline wherever possible.  

Application outcomes  

21. The application outcome will be communicated to the applicant no later than Thursday 27^th November 2025, 5pm.
22. The outcome of the application will be released via email. The outcome will either be: Application successful, Application unsuccessful or Resubmission required. 
    
    a. Applicants who receive an ‘Application successful’ outcome will be issued a professional formation portfolio when the QTLS programme officially starts, usually mid-January. Exact dates will be sent to the participant after being awarded a place. 
    b. Applicants who receive an ‘Application unsuccessful’ outcome will be unable to resubmit their portfolio as the application has presented evidence that they are not in a position to undertake professional formation for this cohort. 
    c. Applicants who receive a ‘Resubmission required’ outcome will need to resubmit their portfolio with the additional evidence required no later than Monday 5 January 2026, 5pm.  

Communication will only be via email and it is the applicant's responsibility to check their email and “Junk Folders” for application outcomes on or before the 27 November 2025.

Admission to professional formation and fees

23. Once admitted onto the programme, programme fees can be paid by:
    a. Single payment: £545 is payable by credit/debit card no later than Friday 30 January 2026.  Payments can be made online or over the phone by calling the team on 0800 093 9111. Confirmation of payment will be sent via email to the address associated with the participant’s membership. Failure to pay within the stipulated timeframe may affect the ability to submit the portfolio.
    b. Direct Debit: A deposit of £155 is payable by credit/debit card, no later than Friday 30 January 2026. Payments can be made online or over the phone by calling the team on 0800 093 9111. Confirmation of payment will be sent via email to the address associated with the participant’s membership. Participants are then required to set up a Direct Debit payment plan for three consecutive monthly Direct Debit payments of £130 each. .
    c. Employer payment: When an employer invoice is requested, this will be sent to the participant for their employer to settle via BACs transfer, within the specified terms (normally 30 days). It is the participant’s responsibility to a) pass the invoice onto their employer and b) ensure professional programme fees are settled within the terms of the invoice to avoid any issues with the submission of the portfolio.
    d. If programme fees are being funded by an employing organisation and it is an ETF Partner, arrangements for settlement will be made directly with the employing organisation. This will not affect the release of the portfolio.      

24. Professional formation is a self-guided and forward-looking period of development, where participants build up a portfolio of evidence, which is submitted for review in order to be considered for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status. A key element of the programme is input from the ‘supporter’ nominated at the application stage. Participants accepted onto the programme must be aware that it is their sole responsibility to ensure that input from their supporter is sought and evidenced on time and as required.
25. Professional formation is not defined as a course or qualification, and therefore aspects typically associated with standard courses or qualifications, such as guided learning hours, tutorial support, or formative assessment, are not part of this programme.  
26. Whilst we will make every attempt to issue a portfolio to all participants on the portfolio issue date, it is the obligation of the participant to ensure they can access the portfolio. Participants who cannot access their portfolio should contact membership@etfoundation.co.uk within of the portfolio issue date to ensure this is resolved in a timely manner. 
27. Participants have access to a '14-day cooling off period', from the date the portfolio is officially issued, in which the participant can withdraw from professional formation and will be entitled to a full refund of the programme fee (£545). After the 14-calendar day period, all professional formation programme fees are non-refundable.

Portfolio submission  

28. The portfolio submission deadline is different for each cohort and is determined by the date the portfolio is issued. Exact dates will be sent to participants and can be found both in the portfolio and on the website.  
29. To submit their finalised portfolio, participants will need to have paid the full programme fees, fully completed all sections of their portfolio, obtained a supporter statement, and shared their portfolio with us via the ePortfolio platform. Participants must also be active members to access their professional formation portfolios and to submit and receive their results/feedback.
    
    a. It is the responsibility of the participant to ensure that they share their portfolio with their supporter with sufficient time (no earlier than 2 weeks before the portfolio submission deadline) to allow them to check the portfolio and provide a supporting statement.

If the participant does not submit their portfolio to us by the submission deadline, we reserve the right to withdraw the participant from the cohort, without reviewing the portfolio.

30. It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure they have provided all the evidence required to achieve QTLS status. Portfolios are not monitored during the six-month professional formation period and participants should utilise supporters for support during the process.  

Extensions to the portfolio submission deadline 

31. The professional formation programme does not allow for automatic extensions to the submission deadline. However, an extension may be granted to a participant where there are exceptional/extenuating circumstances that are out of their control. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and we may request evidence to support the request. Examples may include:
      
    a. Reasonable adjustments form was submitted at the start of the programme and an extension has already been agreed. 
    b. Serious ongoing technical issues beyond the member’s control and identified more than five working days before the submission deadline.  
    c. Illness, accident or severe trauma or unexpected deterioration in an ongoing illness or chronic medical condition of the participant or a person for whom the participant has caring responsibility.  
    d. Recent bereavement of someone close to the participant.  
    e. Serious personal disruption such as burglary, fire or requirement to appear in court in the lead up to the submission deadline.  
    f. Significant change of employment circumstances.  

We will consider progress made in the portfolio when determining a reasonable extension duration. 

32. Where an extension is granted (maximum of 10 working days), confirmation will be provided via email. The portfolio will then be reviewed alongside other submissions in that cohort. 
33. Participants should apply for an extension by email to membership@etfoundation.co.ukno later than six weeks before the submission deadline. Where they have been prevented from submitting a request before the deadline by the same unforeseen event, they can apply for an extension up to five working days after the deadline. We will endeavour to respond before the deadline wherever possible.  

Results release

34. The results release date is different for each cohort and is determined by the submission deadline. Exact dates will be sent to the participant after submission and it is the participant’s responsibility to check their email (including any “Junk folders”) to ensure this notification is not missed.
35. Results will be released via email, throughout the day on the nominated results release day. The result will either be:
    
    a. Awarded 
    b. Resubmission Required – further information required   
    c. Not Awarded

Awarded 

36. The details of awarded participants who remain active members will be added to the publicly searchable Professional Status Register. The details include the participant’s full name, membership number, membership status, grade and the title of the status awarded e.g. QTLS. To opt-out, please email membership@etfoundation.co.uk. (See also point 56 for how participants’ data will be shared with the Department for Education in relation to the issue of a Teacher Reference Number). 
37. Awarded participants will be able to request a digital copy of their certificate, via their MySET dashboard, at the point of release. They will also be sent formal notification of the successful award and a hard copy certificate no later than 8 weeks from the award date. Additional or supplementary printed certificates unfortunately cannot be provided.  
38. After successfully completing professional formation, participants will need to remain a member to maintain their QTLS status and to use the post nominals QTLS. If membership lapses their professional status will become inactive and the individual’s name will no longer appear in the Professional Status Register. In such instances the individual no longer has the right to continue using the post nominals QTLS or the professional status digital pin (found in the MySET dashboard). The professional status will become active again upon renewal of membership.

Resubmission Required – further information required

39. During the portfolio review, if weaknesses are identified in the participant’s portfolio, the outcome will be Resubmission Required – further information required. Participants will then be provided with feedback via email on the areas for development and will be given an opportunity to resubmit their portfolio. It is the participant’s responsibility to monitor their email inbox (and Junk Folders) for feedback updates. 
40. Participants who have a portfolio status of Resubmission Required – further information required will be given one opportunity to resubmit their portfolio and will have six months to do so, from the date the result was released, at no additional charge. Depending on the amount of evidence required, participants can resubmit at the earliest available opportunity. Upon resubmission, the additional evidence will be reviewed within four weeks and feedback provided within six weeks. 
41. If the participant does not resubmit within six months, we will withdraw their portfolio. If they wish to pursue QTLS, then they would be required to apply to join a future cohort. Relevant fees will apply.   
42. If the resubmission is still deemed not to meet the criteria, participants will receive an outcome of Not Awarded – see below.

Not Awarded

43. In some cases, where the review of the portfolio identifies significant areas for development, the outcome will be Not Awarded. The participant will be contacted and advised and feedback will be provided. If they wish to pursue QTLS in the future, then they would be required to apply to join a future cohort. Relevant fees will apply.
44. If a participant disagrees with the decision not to award QTLS status, they should follow the process set out in the Membership & Statuses Eligibility and Award Appeals Policy.  

Withdrawal of the portfolio

45. Participants who are unable to submit by the portfolio deadline must either request their portfolio is “Withdrawn” by emailing membership@etfoundation.co.uk or the team will withdraw the portfolio on their behalf after the submission deadline has passed. No refund will be due.
46. We reserve the right to withdraw any participants who are subsequently found not to meet the eligibility criteria for the programme, when the portfolio is submitted for review. Participants will be notified if this is found to be the case. No refund will be due.  

Ethical considerations  

47. Any information submitted to us, including details about employment, must be submitted in good faith and as an accurate reflection of a participant’s current situation. By providing us with their employer’s details, participants consent to us contacting them if required to verify participant’s role(s) and responsibilities.  
48. By uploading certificates, participants confirm to the best of their knowledge that they are a true reflection of the qualification and grade(s) achieved. If we have any authenticity concerns, we reserve the right to contact the awarding body to verify the results.  
49. Participants will be able to download a copy of their portfolio once they have been awarded QTLS status. Participants must not, under any circumstances, provide this portfolio or its contents to current or future participants. To do so would be viewed as a breach of the Code of Ethics and Conduct (see below). 

Academic misconduct 

50. All  members are bound by the Code of Ethics and Conduct. Any inappropriate activity or behaviour by a professional formation participant that is considered to be a breach of the Code, may be investigated in line with the Investigation Disciplinary Policy and Procedures.
    
    The following are examples of academic misconduct. This is not an exhaustive list and other instances of misconduct may be identified and considered by us at our discretion. For example:  
    
    a. The alteration or falsification of any results document, including certificates.  
    b. Collusion: cooperation with others to gain an unpermitted advantage. This includes instances where participants have consciously collaborated on a piece of work and presented it as their own efforts.  
    c. Copying from another participant/member or allowing work to be copied.  
    d. The deliberate destruction of another member’s work.  
    e. Making a false declaration of authenticity in relation to the authorship of the contents of a portfolio.  
    f. Recycling: the submission by a participant of work that they have submitted as part of their teacher training or other qualification.  
    g. The inclusion of inappropriate, offensive, obscene, homophobic, transphobic, racist, or sexist material in portfolios.  
    h. Plagiarism: representing another person's work or ideas as one’s own, unacknowledged copying from, or reproduction of, published sources or incomplete referencing. 
    i. The inclusion of text, quotes and images generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms and tools and falsely declaring authorship as the participant’s own (eg. ChatGPT, etc). Where AI tools have been used as a source of information, this must be acknowledged by referencing the AI source.   
    j. Theft of another participant’s work.  
    k. Behaving in a manner that raises concerns about members honesty and integrity whilst undertaking professional formation.  
    l. Financial gain by allowing others to purchase and use part or all of a participant’s portfolio.  

51. We reserve the right to contact external bodies, including but not limited to awarding organisations, employers and other regulatory authorities, if an allegation of a breach of the Code of Ethics and Conduct is upheld.

Suspension and removal of QTLS status  

52. Professional formation participants and QTLS status holders are subject to the Terms and Conditions of Membership and other membership policies. If we consider that information received may give rise to a concern about a member's suitability to hold or continue holding QTLS status, we may consider that issue at the same time as any other action that is being taken against a member. 

Teacher Reference Number (TRN) 

53. All QTLS status holders will be issued with a Teacher Reference Number (TRN) if they do not already hold one and will appear on both the professional status register and the DfE’s central record of qualified teachers managed by the Teacher Reference Agency (TRA). However, only those who maintain their QTLS status through their membership will show as active QTLS holders on both registers, and in the case of the DfE’s central record as a qualified teacher (unless QTS has also been achieved).    
54. It is possible to opt out from inclusion on either or both registers – to do so, please email us, stating which register(s) information is to be removed from at: dataprotection@etfoundation.co.uk.

Personal Data

55. We take our responsibilities when processing applicants’ personal data extremely seriously. Our Privacy Notice and Cookie Policy explains how we collect, manage and protect personal data.
56. If professional formation application and programme fees are being funded by an ETF Partner, under our agreement with them, we will share details of applicants and participants and the outcomes associated with each stage. This is subject to a data sharing agreement between ETF and the ETF Partner. Should an applicant wish to opt out, they must discuss with their employing organisation in the first instance.