A first degree or diplomas or five years of relevant professional experience, training or other relevant qualifications. In addition to the general entry requirements, applicants should have: Department for Education (DfE) Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Qualified Teaching and Learning Skills (QTLS) status or equivalent a minimum of one year's teaching experience mentor support from a qualified teacher of vision impairments (QTVI) either paid employment, or a formalised volunteer role with a view to employment as a QTVI, in a capacity that involves regular and ongoing teaching of children and young people with vision impairments throughout the duration of the programme. Submission of evidence for QTS/QTLS is mandatory for admission, along with documentation clearly confirming your Teacher Reference Number (TRN). Please note that for enrolment onto this course, Early Years Teaching Status does NOT count as qualified teacher status (QTS). As well as those requirements already listed, you will be expected to have: access to a braille machine for the duration of the programme internet access from home and/or work appropriate resources, commitment and a line manager’s agreement to allow full engagement in all the required components of the programme (e.g. attendance at residential study weekends and online study days and tutorials; agreement from line manager for release for educational visits, teaching placements and ideally a minimum of half a day per week study time; a mentor who is a QTVI) Programme staff will discuss the course with all suitable candidates. Entry to the programme will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check (child and adult workforce, child barred list) carried out by the University of Birmingham. We may be able to consider an existing Enhanced DBS certificate provided this is registered with the DBS Update Service and is at this exact same level. If a new Enhanced DBS check is required applicants will be liable for the cost of this check.