Program Overview

Certificate in Education (Teaching Post-16 and Further Education)

Course Summary

The Level 5 Certificate in Education (Teaching Post-16 and Further Education) is for those who wish to teach in the education, training and skills sector, such as Further Education Colleges, private sector training providers and offender education. It provides a route into teaching in the Further Education and Skills sector for subject/vocational specialists, and leads to a robust teaching qualification, which is recognised by the sector.

Key Facts

• Award: L5
• Duration: 1 year (FT), 2 years (PT)
• Mode of study: Full time, Part time
• Start date: September 2025
• Award: Bishop Grosseteste University
• Institution code: B38

About this Course

Our Certificate in Education (Teaching Post-16 and Further Education) will develop your knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of teaching, learning and assessment, and teachers’ wider, professional engagement in the sector. It offers a challenging, supportive and rewarding experience to promote informed, reflective and effective teaching and professional development.

The course features three specialist routes of Academic (for those wishing to teach A Levels), Vocational and Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It combines teaching practice, academic learning, and personal, professional development. Teaching practice will be undertaken within an arranged placement (or with your employer for those already working in the sector) in order to develop the teaching of your specialist subject.

What You Will Study

Students on this course currently study some or all of the following modules:

• Teaching my Specialist Subject
• Learners and Learning
• Teachers and Teaching
• Effective Digital and Online Pedagogies
• Responsive Teaching
• Professional Practice in Further Education and Post-16

Entry Requirements

• Typically, minimum Level 3 in the subject the trainee intends to teach
• Level 2 qualification in Mathematics and English
• Access to a minimum of 150 hours of teaching over the period of the programme, with suitable Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) documentation and an identified mentor (for the part-time route, the 150 hours of teaching should be no fewer than 75 hours in any one year)

How You Will Be Taught

All modules contain elements of theory and practice, and require you to take responsibility for your progress by maintaining a personal development portfolio and teaching practice portfolio, tracking your progression. A named personal tutor, cohort learning sets and online learning materials are available to support you as you progress.

Assessment

This course seeks to enable you to engage with and evaluate a range of assessment techniques. Each module carries three assessment components, typically including such tasks as essay, case study, reflective reports, individual and group presentations, peer review, action planning and evaluation of day-to-day teaching practice.

Careers & Further Study

This course will ensure that you are prepared to teach in the Further Education and Skills sector. It has been written in direct consultation with further education colleges, considering their perspectives as employers. On successful completion of this programme, you will be eligible to apply for the professional status of Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) via the Society for Education and Training (SET).

Support

Studying at BGU is a student-centred experience. Staff and students work together in a friendly and supportive atmosphere as part of an intimate campus community. You will know every member of staff personally and feel confident approaching them for help and advice, and staff members will recognise you, not just by sight, but as an individual with unique talents and interests.

Fees & Funding

A lot of student finance information is available from numerous sources, but it is sometimes confusing and contradictory. That’s why at BGU we try to give you all the information and support we can to help to throughout the process. Our Student Advice team are experts in helping you sort out the funding arrangements for your studies, offering a range of services to guide you through all aspects of student finance step by step.