Post-14 Further Education and Skills (Cert Ed)

Train to Teach Post-14 Learners – No Degree Required

This programme is designed for aspiring teachers, trainers and professionals who want to work with post-14 learners across the Further Education and Skills sector. You do not need a degree to enrol, making this an ideal route for career-changers, vocational specialists, and practitioners seeking a university-validated teaching qualification.

Typical teaching settings include further education colleges, sixth forms, training providers, adult and community learning, academies, special schools, prisons and young offender institutions.

The Level 5 Certificate in Education is delivered by the College and validated by the University of Derby, providing a highly supported, practice-focused route into teaching, enabling you to gain practical experience and professional skills from the outset.

A major advantage of this course is the opportunity to undertake teaching placements within the College, where appropriate. This gives trainees:

-Hands-on teaching experience from day one
-Exposure to diverse post-16 learners
-Guidance from experienced subject specialists and mentors
-Strong professional identity in an FE setting
-You will become an integral member of a teaching team while developing practical skills and confidence in the classroom.

Course structure (full-time)

-2 days per week in college for taught sessions
-2 days per week in teaching practice
-A minimum of 150 hours of teaching practice across the year
-Teaching practice runs alongside modules to ensure that theory and practice are fully integrated.

What you will study

The programme develops you as a reflective, confident and inclusive FE practitioner, preparing you to teach effectively across a range of learners.

Modules are planned to include:

-Exploring the FE Teaching Role
-Learning Theories Applied
-Examining Subject Pedagogy
-Professional Practice modules linked to teaching placement
-Module content is reviewed regularly and may be subject to change.

Teaching practice and support

Teaching practice is central to your learning and is supported by:

-A named subject specialist mentor in your placement
-College tutors providing structured feedback
-Observations, reflective tasks, and developmental guidance
-Non-teaching professional activities, such as lesson observation, assessment planning and reflective practice, are also integral.

Progression opportunities

On completion, you will be ready to teach in the FE and Skills sector. Many trainees secure employment with their placement organisation. You may also progress to a Level 6 study in a related area.

Why this course works for career-changers:

The Level 5 Certificate in Education provides hands-on, practice-led training, college-based placements, and a university-validated qualification, making it an excellent stepping stone into FE teaching or a foundation for further professional development.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Primary