Course overview

Are you a new teacher who would like to gain a full qualification to teach in the lifelong learning sector? Or have you completed the award or certificate and would like to progress and develop your career further?

This is a 120 credit course at level 5. It is appropriate for teachers, tutors, trainers, lecturers and instructors who may be working within an FE college, Adult and Community Learning and for those delivering work based learning such as within voluntary, community, private and public organisations. The diploma gives the candidate the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills needed to confirm occupational competence. This includes the planning and delivering of schemes of work and sessions, negotiation of individual goals, different teaching and learning strategies, communication issues and exploring a range of assessment practices. Teaching practice of at least 100 hours is a requirement of the qualification.

Entry requirements

You are required to have:
A minimum of a level 3 qualification in you subject or exceptionally equivalent experience.
A level 2 qualification (for example an O Level or GCSE grade A to C) in Literacy is desirable but not essential
You will need to have achieved Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy by the end of your diploma course.
You will also need access to a minimum of 100 hours of teaching practice and a subject mentor to support you in your studies.

Trainees should not have a criminal background which might prevent them from working as a teacher with young people or vulnerable adults.

The College has a commitment to widening participation in Higher Education, and will therefore give careful consideration to prior experiential learning, non-traditional qualifications and qualifications obtained outside of the United Kingdom.

How will I be assessed?

The course will be assessed by written assignments and a portfolio. The trainee will have eight assessed observations of their teaching. Two assessed observations will be carried out by the subject specific mentor.

What can I do next

On successful completion of this course students can progress onto a masters or a specialist diploma in education and training course. There is also the opportunity to apply for QTLS status once you have gained the level 5 diploma.