Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET) programmes are the recognised teaching qualification for the post-16 sector.
You can become a post-16 teacher in England without a teaching qualification, but it’s a definite advantage to have one, as many employers expect them.
The Diploma in Education and Teaching (DET) – formerly known as the Diploma to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS) – is equivalent to the second year of a UK bachelor’s degree.
It is a popular route for prospective teachers who want to pursue a career in further education, or currently hold an FE teaching role and want to gain a full teaching qualification.
Level 5 Diploma programmes typically last one to two years.
You can choose a university or college-led pre-service training route, or work as an unqualified further education teacher while training part-time.
If you chose a university-led programme, the qualification may be called Professional Certificate in Education (PCE) or Certificate in Education (CertEd), both of which meet the requirements of the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training.
You can apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status once you’ve successfully completed your training. Once achieved, QTLS is equivalent to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in England, allowing you to work as a qualified teacher in state schools. For more information about QTLS, including eligibility and registration, visit the Society for Education and Training website.
Entry requirements
You must have achieved the following minimum requirements to be eligible to apply for Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training programmes:
You must have a minimum of 100 hours of teaching experience.
You’ll need to have achieved Level 2 skills in English or mathematics, or Level 3 if you are taking units in teaching literacy or numeracy.
Some training providers may ask you to complete tests to demonstrate suitable levels of literacy, numeracy, and ICT skills before admission.
You must also meet some non-academic requirements, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and declaration of criminal convictions.
Fees and funding
The amount providers charge varies – for UK and EU students, it can be up to £9,250 per year for a full-time programme starting in 2018. It’s a big investment, but there’s often funding available to help you.
Tuition fee and maintenance loans – you can apply for a student loan to cover your tuition fees and living costs. Find out more from Student Finance England.
Extra student funding – if you have dependents, you could access further funding to support your teacher training, such as Parents' Learning Allowances, Childcare Grants, or Child Tax Credits. The student finance calculator from Student Finance England allows you to estimate the level of funding that may be available.
Disabled students and care leavers – universities and colleges have different ways of supporting you in higher education. Check if you are entitled to additional support and funding.
Explore your options
All undergraduate and non-graduate Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programmes will qualify you to be a teacher, but there are differing levels of qualifications that can be achieved.
Find out more about university and college-led teacher training routes in England.
Recruitment
At Hunters Global Consultancy Limited we partner with leading organisations to help you find the perfect career move.
Our client base range from small start up companies to large international institutions.
We place candidates not only in the UK but also internationally.
We work within education and training sector but also work with the IT space as well