Further education teacher

You can do a further education (FE) teaching qualification at university.

Qualifications include:

• Certificate in Education (Cert Ed)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Post Compulsory Education and Training
• Postgraduate Certificate in Further Education and Training

To teach an academic qualification like an A level, you'll usually need a degree in the subject.

Some courses include a placement to get practical experience, others may ask that you are already working in an FE college as an unqualified teacher.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• postgraduate teacher training courses|https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-postgraduate-teacher-training-courses-in-england
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could do a teaching qualification at college, such as:

• Certificate in Education (Cert Ed)
• Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training
• Level 5 Diploma in Teaching with a specialist pathway for teaching literacy, numeracy, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), or teaching disabled learners

Employers will expect you to have experience or a qualification in the subject you want to teach.

Entry requirements

You'll need:

• GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

• 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could do a Learning and Skills Teacher Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

You'll usually need:

• a qualification in the subject you want to teach
• recent experience in your industry
• ability in English, maths and IT

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

You could apply directly to work as an unqualified further education teacher if you have a minimum of a level 3 qualification and lots of experience in your industry.

Once working, you could complete a teaching qualification on the job. Some employers might help to fund your training.

You'll also need level 2 qualifications in maths and English (though level 3 or higher if you're planning to teach these subjects). If you do not have these qualifications, the learning provider may support you to get them as part of your teacher training course.

It will be useful to get experience through paid work or volunteering at a school , college or adult learning centre.

You can also look for volunteering opportunities in your area .

You can apply directly to teach in further education if you have relevant experience and qualifications in a technical or academic subject.

You can also apply directly to teach some subjects in further education, if you have taught them in a school and hold qualified teacher status (QTS) .

Career Tips

You can work towards qualified teacher learning and skills status (QTLS) , if you already have a teaching qualification at level 5 or above.

Further Information

You can find out more about how to become a further education teacher from Teach in Further Education.

As a further education teacher, you could:

• teach students of different ages, abilities and backgrounds
• develop and improve study programmes
• inspire and motivate students to do well
• provide constructive feedback to students and prepare them for assessments
• keep accurate learner records
• create course materials in print and digital formats
• stay up to date with changes to technology in your study area
• follow safeguarding and health and safety procedures
• refer students to college support services when appropriate
• take part in marketing, careers and student recruitment activities

You could work at a college, in a sixth form college, an independent training centre, in a prison or at an adult education centre.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.