Diploma in Further Education and Skills (CCCU)

This is a two year, part time programme and you will study three, 20 credit modules each year.

Year 1:

Principles of Teaching, Learning and Assessment You will be introduced to teaching and learning in the further education and skills sector. Features of effective teaching, especially contemporary learning theories and evidence-based approaches for learning, teaching and assessment in further education and skills will be explored. There is a particular focus on establishing high expectations for all learners, including: raising aspirations, teaching learners with special educational needs, supporting learners with potential barriers to learning. The module also supports your transition into higher education, especially regarding assessment.

Professional Practice 1: The Beginning Teacher You will learn about roles and responsibilities in the further education and skills sector and how to work effectively and efficiently within the context of your work-based placement setting. This will include harnessing input from a range of expert colleagues – including your pastoral mentor and subject specialist mentor – to progress your specialist subject knowledge and subject pedagogy. Development in this respect will be underpinned by the application of evidence-based approaches to learning, teaching and assessment so that all learners receive high-quality teaching. Reflection on your teaching practice, including knowledge and understanding of the learners that you will teach, will also contribute to the development of your values-based identity as a teacher in the further education and skills sector.

Professional Practice 2: The Enquiring Teacher You will deepen your subject and pedagogical knowledge, including threshold concepts, troublesome knowledge and core skills, and knowledge of the setting you are working in. You will learn how to support the different needs of learners, underpinned by knowledge and understanding of the learners you teach. You will apply contemporary learning theories and evidence-based learning strategies so that all learners receive high-quality teaching. You will develop and utilise digital skills to enhance learning.

Year 2:

Reflecting on Teaching, Learning, and Assessment You will carry out an action research project, working with colleagues and external stakeholders to secure better learner outcomes. You will be supported to develop and deploy key research skills, including the identification of a relevant research issue, identification and analysis of literature in the field, and evaluation of research methodologies with a view to using the most effective approach for their context. You will also develop your oral communication skills through the dissemination of your findings to peers and other stakeholders.

Professional Practice 3: The Reflective Teacher You will learn about the role of assessment data in evaluating and reviewing learning plans, including the identification of gaps for groups of learners. Wider themes and drivers, ideologies and curriculum models are introduced, including responses in curriculum to changes in society. The impact on college and sector priorities from external policies is examined through the lens of subject and setting specialist teaching. Professional Practice 4: The Independent Teacher Through this module you will become aware of the wider aspects of teaching in the further education and Skills sector. You will learn about pedagogies employed in different settings and gain insight into the employment practices of various settings. The impact of emerging technologies on specialist subject teaching and subject pedagogy is explored and you will support learners as they prepare for work and further study.

• 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 paid or unpaid work-based placement, that includes 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. This will be confirmed at interview by the employer

Assessment on this course is designed to be practical, reflective, and closely aligned with your development as a teacher. At the centre of the assessment process is a personalised portfolio of evidence, which documents your teaching practice and professional development against the Occupational Standards (IfATE, 2025). This portfolio forms the basis of all modules and underpins the Student Progress Review (SPR) discussions held at the end of each module, as well as your final assessment, where you will reflect on your professional journey with your tutor and mentor.

You will need to evidence a minimum of 250 hours of work-based placement, including ten themed teaching observations that allow you to showcase your growing skills and confidence in the teaching environment. Your portfolio will also include teaching resources and completed tasks as part of your overall assessment bundle.

In addition, you’ll complete a range of assessed tasks such as case studies, a vlog or podcast using your digital skills, and an action research project. You will be supported throughout the course by your tutor and mentors to help you connect theory with practice and demonstrate your ongoing professional growth.

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.

2 years, part time

Year 1 The Enquiring Teacher The Inclusive Teacher

Year 2 The Reflective Teacher The independent Teacher

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 engage with guided learning tasks through your PebblePad portfolio, designed to build your knowledge, skills, and confidence in planning, delivering, and evaluating your teaching. Weekly taught sessions will model evidence-based teaching, learning, and assessment strategies, providing space to explore and critically evaluate educational theory through group discussions. You’ll also benefit from peer learning opportunities such as micro-teach sessions and carousel activities, where you’ll share experiences and resources from your work-based placement, helping you to reflect on and refine your teaching practice in a supportive and collaborative 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 and manageable workload designed to balance academic development with practical teaching experience. Each week, you’ll participate in three hours of 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.

On 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.

This course offers a rich and varied curriculum designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to become an effective and reflective practitioner. Throughout the course, you will explore key areas such as planning inclusive and engaging lessons, understanding how people learn, using assessment effectively to support progress, and creating positive and supportive learning environments. You’ll also engage with wider professional themes including safeguarding, equality and diversity, digital technologies in education, and the professional responsibilities of a teacher in the Further Education and Skills sector. The content is grounded in current research and evidence-based theory, giving you the opportunity to critically evaluate different approaches and apply them in your own teaching practice.

The course is delivered through our vibrant Further Education partner colleges across London and the South-East of England, where you’ll learn from expert teaching staff with extensive experience in both Further and Higher Education. During your work-based placement, you’ll be supported by experienced subject and pastoral mentors nominated by your employer, working under the supervision and guidance of the partner college and university teaching teams.

By the end of the course, you will have developed a strong foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of teaching, equipping you for a successful career in the Further Education and Skills sector.