Skip navigation

Further Education and Skills

  • 2 Study options
  • Undergraduate
5 Campuses
More about University of Portsmouth

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
Apply

Course summary

Overview
If you have a level 3 qualification in a relevant subject area, plus a desire to help students begin their careers through further education, this Certificate in Further Education and Skills (CertEd) course will enable you to teach at college level.

You'll learn the most effective teaching techniques by spending time on teaching placements in real education settings and exploring teaching theory in lectures and seminars. You'll also develop subject specific knowledge by working closely with course teachers and work-based subject mentors.

If you're not yet working or teaching in further education, you can study this course full-time at the University. If you do already have a role in further education, you can study part-time at one of our partner colleges, alongside your job. Wherever you study, you’ll be a student of the University of Portsmouth, so you’ll have access to all of our facilities and support.

After the course, you'll be able to take up teaching roles in further education colleges, sixth-form colleges and private training providers, or to top up your Certificate to a full Bachelor’s degree.

  • Develop your skills as a teacher through practical experience in the classroom and theoretical study around further education

  • Join fellow professionals from many different backgrounds for lectures and seminars, creating an effective peer network where you can share ideas and experiences

  • Get more than 100 hours of work experience on teaching placements arranged by the University (full-time only)

  • Choose to study full-time at the University or part-time at one of our partner colleges: South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus, Havant and South Downs College, Peter Symonds College, or Isle of Wight College

  • Be eligible for membership of the Society for Education & Training (SET) when you graduate, which enables you to work towards Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status

Recognised by:
Completing this course enables an application to be made to the Institute for Learning (IfL) for QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning & Skills) status. This course has been inspected by the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED).

Full-time and part-time study options
You can study this course full-time over 1 year or part-time over 2 years. The type of study that's best for you will depend on whether or not you're already working and/or teaching in further education.

Full-time study
The full-time version of this course at the University is ideal if you're not already working in teaching. If you study this course full time, the working hours are similar to a full-time job – times will vary but you'll generally be at the University or on placement from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Part-time study
If you're already working and/or in further education, the part-time version of this course is designed for you. If you study this course part time, you'll go to one of our partner colleges once a week. You'll also need to have a teaching placement with an identified subject mentor that includes at least 50 hours of teaching a year.

Careers and opportunities
This CertEd Further Education and Skills will give you the formal teaching qualification you need to teach in further education settings such as colleges, sixth-forms and private training providers, or to pursue further study.

What can you do with a certificate in further education?
After graduating, previous students have gone on to work in:

  • further education colleges

  • sixth-form colleges

  • private training providers

  • public services

  • voluntary organisations

You could also turn your CertEd into a full Bachelor's degree with a relevant top-up course, such as BA (Hons) Education Studies (Top-Up).

Modules

Course Modules

The University of Portsmouth is passionate about creating career-focused modules that do more than support your studies, they empower your academic journey and prepare you for what comes next.

We design modules that have:

• Clear themes and skills development as you progress through each year
• Assessments that feel meaningful, often based on real-world tasks rather than isolated exams
• Career-enhancing opportunities such as placements, live projects, enterprise and volunteering

For a full list of the modules you will study on this course, please visit the link to the course page.

https://www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/certed-further-education-and-skills#modules

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site
  • Havant and South Downs College - South Downs Campus
  • Isle of Wight College
  • Peter Symonds College
  • South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh College

Study options

  • Certificate of Education • Full-Time • 1 Years
  • Certificate of Education • Part-Time • 2 Years

Start dates

Application codes

Institution code:
P80

University of Portsmouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
P80

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

T Level
P-M

Pass (D or E in the core) - Merit
Acceptable T Level Subjects:
Education and Childcare

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English and mathematics at grade C/4 or above.

A level 3 qualification within your subject delivery area coupled with sufficient experience to establish professional competence.

Formal qualifications, experiential learning and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are also considered.

All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application. All offers are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and Occupational Health clearance.

Full time students who study on campus will be provided with a teaching placement and subject mentor by the University.

Additional entry requirements

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) / Disclosure Scotland Check
Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before starting the course.
Health Checks
Applicants must pass Occupational Health check before starting the course.
Interview
All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application.
Other
Part-time students are required to have secured their own teaching placement with at least 100 teaching hours plus 75 non-teaching hours per year, and have an identified subject mentor.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
Cambridge English AdvancedCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
PTE Academic62An overall score of 62 with a minimum of 59 in each skill.
TOEFL (iBT)7979 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.
Trinity ISEPassTrinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

University of Portsmouth offers are based on a holistic assessment of students' potential including exam results, work experience and personal circumstances. The University aims to foster social mobility and equality of opportunity, particularly for those facing social challenges.
For creative subjects, portfolios and interviews allow applicants to showcase their talent and passion. We recognise locality, personal circumstances and creativity which could lead to a reduced or unconditional offer.

Learn more on the University of Portsmouth website

International entry requirements

Main Site - EU and International applicants accepted.

Eastleigh College - This course is available to EU and International applicants who do not require a Student Route Visa.

Havant and South Downs College - EU and International applicants accepted.

Isle of Wight College - This course is available to EU and International applicants who do not require a Student Route Visa.

Peter Symonds College - This course is available to EU and International applicants who do not require a Student Route Visa.

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Undergraduate fees for 2027 entry will be available shortly.

For more information about fees, go to https://www.port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance/tuition-fees-living-costs-and-other-study-costs

Related courses

At University of Portsmouth

Like this page