Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training

Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET) programmes are the recognised teaching qualification for the post-16 sector. You can become a post-16 teacher in England without a teaching qualification, but it’s a definite advantage to have one, as many employers expect them.

• The Diploma in Education and Teaching (DET) – formerly known as the Diploma to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS) – is equivalent to the second year of a UK bachelor’s degree.
• It is a popular route for prospective teachers who want to pursue a career in further education, or currently hold an FE teaching role and want to gain a full teaching qualification.
• Level 5 Diploma programmes typically last one to two years. You can choose a university or college-led pre-service training route, or work as an unqualified further education teacher while training part-time.
• If you chose a university-led programme, the qualification may be called Professional Certificate in Education (PCE) or Certificate in Education (CertEd), both of which meet the requirements of the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training.
• You can apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status once you’ve successfully completed your training. Once achieved, QTLS is equivalent to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in England, allowing you to work as a qualified teacher in state schools. For more information about QTLS, including eligibility and registration, visit the Society for Education and Training website.

Entry requirements

You must have achieved the following minimum requirements to be eligible to apply for Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training programmes:

• You must have a minimum of 100 hours of teaching experience.
• You’ll need to have achieved Level 2 skills in English or mathematics, or Level 3 if you are taking units in teaching literacy or numeracy.
• Some training providers may ask you to complete tests to demonstrate suitable levels of literacy, numeracy, and ICT skills before admission.
• You must also meet some non-academic requirements, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and declaration of criminal convictions.

Fees and funding

The amount providers charge varies – for UK and EU students, it can be up to £9,250 per year for a full-time programme starting in 2018. It’s a big investment, but there’s often funding available to help you. UCAS does not arrange student finance, but we can give you information and advice about funding and support to help point you in the right direction.

• Tuition fee and maintenance loans – you can apply for a student loan to cover your tuition fees and living costs. Find out more from Student Finance England.
• Extra student funding – if you have dependents, you could access further funding to support your teacher training, such as Parents' Learning Allowances, Childcare Grants, or Child Tax Credits. The student finance calculator from Student Finance England allows you to estimate the level of funding that may be available.
• Disabled students and care leavers – universities and colleges have different ways of supporting you in higher education. Check if you are entitled to additional support and funding.

How to apply

UCAS Undergraduate is the scheme to apply for the main university-led routes, and most (but not all) college-led Level 5 Diploma programmes.

• To find the course that’s right for you, filter by 'Education' using our multi-destination search tool. If you’re stuck, use our five-step checklist on how to refine your search.
• You’ll then need to register with UCAS Undergraduate to submit, and track the progress of, your application. We've got lots of information and advice to help you complete your application, including writing a UCAS Undergraduate personal statement, and how to get an undergraduate reference.
• Different courses have different application deadlines – check when to apply for more information.
• Those programmes not managed by UCAS and may have a different application process. Check the provider’s website for specific course information, tuitions fees, and entry requirements.

Explore your options

All undergraduate and non-graduate Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programmes will qualify you to be a teacher, but there are differing levels of qualifications that can be achieved. Find out more about university and college-led teacher training routes in England.