Program Overview

Certificate in Education in Further Education and Skills Sector

Overview

Teaching in the Further Education and Skills Sector is rewarding and unique. You will work in a vibrant environment whereby you will inspire and make a difference in the lives of students from diverse backgrounds in a wide range of contexts. You will pass the knowledge and skills you have developed during your degree and/ or industrial experience to the next generation to prepare them for the world of work or higher education.

Our part-time two-year Level 5 Certificate in Education in Further Education and Skills Sector will equip you with the knowledge, skills and values needed to meet the Occupational Standards for the Further Education and Skills teacher role. This will enable you to facilitate the learning of a diverse range of students, including young adults aged 14-19 and mature students, and help them to achieve their goals. You will also be able to apply for the Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status (QTLS) via the Society for Education and Training, after the completion of the course.

You will develop an understanding of the main principles for teaching, learning and assessment in your subject specialist area, as well as of the Further Education context. You will engage in hands-on activities so that you can effectively transfer educational theory into your own teaching practice. LSBU has a particular focus on social justice and inclusion, so we will help you adopt inclusive practices to meet the diverse needs of students in a variety of further education settings.

You will be encouraged to develop your reflection skills and undertake practitioner research to improve your own practice and offer the best learning experience to your own students. You will have the chance to analyse current policies and practices and adjust them to meet the needs of your students regardless of their educational, social, cultural and economic background.

Our Certificate in Education develops reflective practitioners whose teaching practice is underpinned by evidence-informed pedagogies, and who are committed to inclusive practice and continuing professional development.

Why study Education at LSBU?

• You will gain the necessary knowledge, skills and values to meet the Occupational Standards.
• You will engage with effective evidence-informed pedagogies and will have the opportunity to apply those into your own teaching practice.
• You will gain experience of face-to-face and remote synchronous teaching and of shadowing more experienced teachers.
• You will develop your digital skills and your understanding of sustainable development.
• The course will be offered on a blended learning basis to create a flexible physical and digital environment.
• You'll be allocated a university-based mentor to support you during your course.

Mode and Duration

• Mode: Part-time
• Duration: 2 years

Start Date and Application Code

• Start date: September
• Application code: 5990

Application Method

• Application method: Direct to LSBU

Location

• Southwark Campus

Entry Level Requirements

• Hold a Level 3 qualification, in subject relevant to their subject specialist area, from an institution acceptable to the University.
• Be currently teaching or supporting learning in a Further Education and Skills setting. Teaching/professional practice can be full-time or part-time.
• Have GCSE in Maths and English at Grade 4 (C) or above*. Applicants who have not yet met this requirement are welcome to apply but will not be able to start the course until they have met this requirement.
• 2 Satisfactory references.

Advanced Entry

If you have already completed some studies at another university, we may be able to consider you for advanced entry. Please see our advanced entry page for more information.

Tuition Fees

• UK fee: £4767.5
• International fee: £7750

Careers

• This practical qualification supports you with the development of Occupational Standards required to teach and work in Further Education and Skills Sector.
• The sector is made up of a variety of contexts, such as Further Education colleges, sixth-form colleges, adult learning colleges/ centres, community learning colleges/ centres, prison education, and youth offending services.
• You will be able to progress onto BA in Education.

Professional Link

• The Level 5 Certificate in Education meets the specifications outlined by the ‘Qualification framework for the full teaching qualification for the further education and skills sector’ (2022) and follows the LST Occupational Standards.
• This means that you will develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to work in the FE sector and apply for the QTLS offered by the Society for Education and Training.

Teaching and Assessment

• Student-centred strategies are adopted throughout the taught face-to-face and remote sessions to enable you to critically engage with current research and theory and to discuss how theories can be applied to practice.
• Formative assessment is embedded throughout the course. You will discuss and critique the assessment criteria in order to establish a clear and shared model of ‘what makes good practice’.
• You will be formally assessed through a range of summative assessments. These will require you to reflect on their teaching practice and to think critically about institutional or practice-based challenges.

Course Content

• Principles for Teaching, Learning and Assessment in subject specialist areas (20 credits)
• Creating an inclusive environment in further education and skills sector (20 credits)
• Professional Practice Part 1 (20 credits)
• Action Research (40 credits)
• Professional Practice Part 2 (20 credits)

University-based Mentor Support

• You will be assigned a university-based mentor during your first three weeks of classes at LSBU.
• The role of your university-based mentor is to be your primary contact for academic guidance and professional development support.
• They will help you get the most out of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University.