Certificate in Education (Cert. Ed) - Level 5
Further your teaching skills in Further Education
The Certificate in Education (Cert Ed) is designed for people who want to teach and make a positive difference in the Further Education and Skills sector. It prepares you for teaching roles in colleges, training providers and adult education settings.
The qualification is fully aligned with current standards set by the Department for Education and the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), ensuring your training meets national expectations.
A flexible route into teaching
The Cert Ed offers a supportive and flexible pathway into teaching, designed to fit around your existing work or professional commitments. You’ll be guided step by step as you develop the core skills needed to teach effectively, including:
- Planning and delivering engaging lessons
- Preparing learning materials
- Managing a positive and inclusive learning environment
- Assessing learners and supporting their progress
Real teaching experience
Alongside your studies, you’ll complete a teaching placement, where you’ll put theory into practice in a real classroom or training setting. You’ll be supported by an experienced subject specialist mentor, helping you build confidence in lesson delivery and learner support.
Assessment and professional portfolio
As you progress through the course, you’ll build a portfolio of evidence showing what you’ve learned and how you apply this in real teaching situations. This portfolio demonstrates that you meet the professional standards required for teaching in further education.
Inclusive practice and learner support
The course places strong emphasis on inclusive practice, helping you understand how effective assessment, planning and support can improve learner outcomes and progression across the sector.
Progression and professional recognition
The Cert Ed provides a strong foundation for further development. With additional professional development through the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), you may progress towards Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status.
Important information
- This qualification allows you to teach in further education and training settings
- It does not qualify you to teach in primary or secondary schools
- Course code ST1HE0001
- Duration 1 Year
- Day/s of week Wednesday
- Time 12:00 - 18:00
Next course dates
| Start date | Location | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
07 Sep 2026
|
Bispham Campus
|
1 Year
|
|
|
07 Sep 2026
|
Bispham Campus
|
18 Months
|
|
|
26 Jan 2027
|
Bispham Campus
|
1 Year
|
|
|
26 Jan 2027
|
Bispham Campus
|
18 Months
|
Before applying, please check whether you meet the entry requirements under 'Key Information' for this course. Don't hesitate to call us on 01253 504343 if you need assistance.
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
Successful completion of the Cert. Ed will equip you for a variety of private and public teaching and training posts across the further education and skills sector.
These include teaching in the NHS, police, prison service and offender education, further education colleges, secondary schools from 14+, training providers and sixth form colleges as well as within adult and community learning and apprenticeship provision.
Employment Opportunities
A Certificate in Education (Cert Ed) prepares people to teach and support learning in the further education (FE) and skills sector, rather than in primary or secondary schools. Typical careers include:
Teaching & Training Roles
Further Education Lecturer | Adult Education Tutor | Work-Based Learning Assessor / Trainer | Apprenticeship Trainer or Coach
Specialist Education Roles
SEND Tutor or Learning Support Lecturer in FE/adult provision | Functional Skills Tutor | ESOL Tutor – teaching English to speakers of other languages.
Key information
Entry Requirements
To study the Certificate in Education (Cert Ed), you must have a suitable teaching placement in place. This must allow you to complete:
- A minimum of 250 hours of teaching and teaching‑related experience
- Support from a subject‑specialist mentor
- 10 teaching observations across the duration of the course
Qualifications you’ll need
You’ll also need:
- A Level 3 vocational or technical qualification in the subject you wish to teach
- GCSE English and maths at grade 4/C or above, or Level 2 Functional Skills
Application process
If you meet the criteria, you’ll be invited to take part in a professional discussion with the teaching team. This will focus on:
- Your understanding of the further education and skills sector
- How you plan to apply your subject specialism in a teaching role
If successful, you’ll then be asked to:
- Provide evidence of your qualifications
- Apply for an enhanced DBS check with barred list information
(required for funding and as a condition of enrolment)
Once these steps are complete, you’ll be invited to enrol on the programme.
If your application is unsuccessful
If you’re not accepted at this stage, you’ll be given clear guidance and support to help you prepare for future study.
Qualification obtained
Certificate in EducationFees and funding
Visit our Tuition Fees page and Financial Support for Degrees page for more information about fees and funding.
Extra costs and equipment
You will need to cover the cost of your enhanced DBS check which is currently £58.10 (this is not reimbursed). You will also be expected to cover the cost of your travel to and from your work placement and provide your own stationery.
Regulation and Accreditation
Accrediting Institute: None
Awarding Body: None
Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)
Terms and conditions
Please visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information.
What will I learn?
Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers
To study on the Certificate in Education you must have secured an appropriate teaching placement allowing you to gain a minimum of 250 hours teaching and teacher related experience. This placement should also be able to facilitate a subject-specialist mentor and a total of 10 observations throughout the duration of the programme.
Any teaching placement must be confirmed one week before the start of the course at the latest. For some subject specialisms we may be able to support you in securing a placement internally at Blackpool and The Fylde College. If not, you will be responsible for sourcing your own teaching placement.
Work-based learning is an essential part of the Cert. Ed. It is through undertaking teaching practice that the connections are made between classroom theory and practice. Additional placement opportunities with will be built into curriculum delivery to expand your knowledge around the variety of career opportunities in the further education and skills sector.
How will I learn?
The Certificate in Education is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, presentations, workshops and independent digital learning. The compulsory work placement is also included and facilitates the development of your own learning, teaching and assessment skills through the observation of others and opportunities to team teach before commencing your solo teaching practice.
Expert tutors
All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.
Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.
Learning Methods
| Learning Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled | 0 | 224 | 0 |
| Independent | 0 | 626 | 0 |
| Placement | 0 | 350 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 1200 | 0 |
How will I be assessed?
| Assessment Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 0% | 100% | 0% |
| Exam | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Practical | 0% | 0% | 0% |