Teaching: Further Education and Skills (FES) - Level 5 Diploma (Canterbury Christ Church University)

This is a two-year part-time programme delivered at the Tottenham campus. This course is accredited by Canterbury Christ Church University. https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/further-education-and-skills?year=september-2025&modeRef=0#courseOverview

You must apply to the college and Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) using the links above.

Further education and skills are a diverse, fast-paced, and highly rewarding part of the education sector. The Diploma in Further Education and Skills is a two-year (part-time) in-service course that enables you to undertake a teacher qualification in this sector alongside paid or unpaid employment. Co-designed by further education colleges and university-based educators, and delivered by partner colleges across London and the South-East, this course will support you in becoming a highly effective teacher or trainer of young people and adult learners.

Reflecting the diversity of the further education and skills sector, students on this course are drawn from a range of settings, including further education colleges, adult and community centres, industry training, professional learning, offender learning, and the voluntary sector. Your professional development will benefit from this diverse expertise and experience as you explore the roles and responsibilities of a teacher in the further education sector.

As well as deepening your subject specialist knowledge and understanding, especially in how to effectively support learners with a range of abilities and barriers to learning, the course will also enable you to support improvement in the digital, literacy, and maths skills of all learners.

Your progression is supported by experienced and expert teachers and industry practitioners in an inclusive community of practice that fosters a positive educational experience. Your professional development after graduation is also facilitated through a range of networks and CPD opportunities for those teaching in the further education and skills sector.

As a student on the Further Education and Skills teacher training course, you can expect a strong focus on developing your teaching practice through a blend of work-based experience, academic study, and practical training. At the heart of the course is your work-based teaching placement, where you’ll apply what you learn in real teaching and learning settings, supported by two dedicated mentors - one a subject specialist and the other a pastoral mentor - who will both guide and support your professional growth.

Each week, you’ll complete guided tasks in your PebblePad portfolio to develop skills in planning, delivering, and evaluating teaching. Taught sessions will model evidence-based strategies and allow you to explore educational theory through discussion.

You’ll also take part in peer-learning activities, such as micro-teaches and carousel sessions, sharing experiences from your placement to refine your practice. Alongside three hours of taught sessions, you’ll meet weekly with mentors and complete guided tasks (about five hours total), plus independent study to build knowledge and prepare for assessments.

Year 1

Core module (30 Credits) The Enquiring Teacher: This introduction to learning and teaching in the Further Education and Skills (FES) sector will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to begin teaching your specialist subject. You will be introduced to the roles and responsibilities of teaching and training in the FES sector.

Working with expert practitioners and colleagues - including specialist and pastoral mentors - you will investigate and apply features of effective, contemporary, and evidence-based approaches to learning, teaching, and assessment in your specialist subject.

Core module (30 Credits) The Inclusive Teacher: This module focuses on setting high expectations for all learners, including those with special educational needs, language barriers, or other challenges. You will apply evidence-based teaching and assessment strategies, making adaptations to create inclusive, supportive, and aspirational learning environments.

Year 2

Core module (30 Credits) The Reflective Teacher: Continual practitioner action research is an essential element of developing your professional practice and becoming an effective practitioner. In this module, you will engage in this process by proposing an action research project, working with colleagues and external stakeholders to improve learner outcomes. You will develop key research skills, including identifying a relevant research issue, analysing current literature, and evaluating research methodologies to determine the most effective approach for your context.

Core module (30 Credits) The Independent Teacher: In this final module, you will consider curriculum design, quality assurance and continuous improvement, the impact of educational policy, and the influence of broader themes and drivers in the sector - such as sustainability and the increasing use of AI and VR - on your professional practice. You will carry out the action research project proposed in The Reflective Teacher and have the opportunity to refine your communication skills as you share your findings with peers and other stakeholders.

Minimum Standards in English, Mathematics, and Digital Literacy

• You need to hold a minimum of a Level 3, or industry equivalent, in the subject or vocational area you will teach. In the case of vocational subjects, you will also need to demonstrate relevant professional experience. In exceptional circumstances, candidates without a Level 3 qualification, who have been recommended to the course by their employer, will provide evidence of industry qualifications and/or substantial professional experience.
• You need to hold a minimum of a Level 2 in both English and Maths.
• Your employer will need to confirm your suitability to train to teach and your suitability to teach your specialist subject. If you are self-employed, please speak to the Course Director for an alternative assessment.
• You will need a minimum of 250 hours of paid or unpaid work-based placement, including 150 hours of teaching or training, in a suitable setting over the duration of the course. You will also need a suitable subject specialist mentor and, ideally, a pastoral mentor. The employer will confirm this at the interview.

For information on our Higher Education policies, including admissions, fees, and student contracts, please see the links below:

• Complaints Policy
• Fees Policy
• HE Admissions Policy
• HE Student Contract
• HE Student Protection Plan

For our full list of policies, governance and fees, please see our website’s policy page.

Coursework Requirements

You will be assessed in two main ways: via academic assessments and the assessment of your teaching practice.

A range of assessment methods will help you to evidence your knowledge, skills and behaviours.

Each week, you’ll complete guided learning tasks in your PebblePad portfolio to develop your knowledge, skills, and confidence in planning, delivering, and evaluating teaching. Taught sessions will model evidence-based strategies and encourage critical reflection through group discussions. You’ll also take part in peer learning activities, such as micro-teaches and carousel sessions, where sharing placement experiences helps you refine your practice in a supportive environment.

Whilst you will spend approximately three hours per week in taught sessions, you will also have weekly meetings with each of your mentors and complete guided learning tasks, totalling around five hours per week. In addition, you will work independently to develop your knowledge and skills and prepare for assessments.

Independent Study

Independent study is a vital and rewarding part of the Further Education and Skills teacher training course, offering you the opportunity to deepen your understanding, reflect on your practice, and develop your professional voice. Over the course, you’ll build your portfolio of skills - both personal core skills and specialist subject knowledge - through ongoing CPD.

Four focused practice blocks will guide your independent learning through flexible self-study, targeted activities, and practical tasks designed to apply theory to practice. During reading weeks, you’ll have access to structured input to support your ongoing development. You’ll also participate in remote cross-college workshops led by university staff and external speakers, providing a valuable opportunity to connect with peers across the partnership and broaden your perspectives.

As part of the course, you’ll learn about alternative settings and may visit another further education institution to gain insight into different teaching environments. You’ll also have the opportunity to take part in the annual Training to Teach student research conference - both as an attendee and participant - where you can engage with current issues in the sector and showcase your work.

Overall Workload

You can expect a well-structured, manageable workload that balances academic development with practical teaching experience. Each week, you’ll participate in taught sessions that focus on key principles of teaching and learning in the sector. You’ll also be required to complete a minimum of 250 hours of work-based placement activities - approximately five hours per week - on tasks such as planning and delivering teaching, marking assessments, and engaging in wider workplace duties. Alongside this, you’ll need to dedicate around two hours per week to completing guided learning tasks and engaging in independent reading and study to deepen your understanding and prepare for assignments.

In this course, you'll find the workload consistent and meaningful. Effective time management will be essential to ensure you get the most out of the course and develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive as a teacher in Further Education.

Adults - Higher Education

You will need to pay fees to study a Higher Education (HE) course.

If you have not studied a higher education course before, you may be eligible to apply for a Higher Education tuition fee loan. Other financial support such as maintenance loans and disability support are also available.

To enrol, you need to show you have permission to live, work and study in the UK without conditions for 3 years before the start of your course.

Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.

Some courses have additional costs, such as for specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.

Tuition Fees for 2026/2027 are £3,750. Read advice about funding your degree · See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies

If you would like information about paying your fees, don't hesitate to get in touch with accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk · For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded the Level 5 Diploma in Further Education and Skills. You may be eligible to apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status.

After qualification, a wide range of career opportunities is available to teachers in the further education and skills sector.

Graduates typically secure roles in colleges, private training providers, and awarding bodies, with some progressing into higher education or taking on teaching and training positions within large companies, public sector organisations, and charities.

Your professional development doesn’t stop at graduation - ongoing career progression is supported through a vibrant network of peers and access to continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities tailored to the sector. Many graduates also celebrate their achievements at a university graduation ceremony, marking the beginning of a rewarding career in education and training.