Further education lecturer

You can do a further education (FE) teaching qualification at university, with a higher education institution or on a work-based training programme.

Qualifications include:

• certificate in education
• postgraduate diploma in post-compulsory education and training
• postgraduate certificate in the lifelong learning sector
• postgraduate certificate in further education and training

If you want to teach work-related courses in FE, like apprenticeships, you'll need experience and a technical qualification in your chosen subject, as well as your teaching qualification. This should be at level 3 standard (national diploma or equivalent) or higher.

To teach academic qualifications, such as A levels, you'll usually need a degree in the subject.

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
• student finance for fees and living costs
• postgraduate teacher training courses
• university courses and entry requirements

You can do a teaching qualification at college. Qualifications include:

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

You'll be expected to have experience and a qualification in the subject you want to teach.

You'll also need to organise some time for teaching practice, though training providers can often help with this.

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
• funding advice
• search for courses

You can complete a learning and skills teacher higher apprenticeship.

You'll need a qualification in the subject you want to teach. Employers will be looking for relevant up-to-date industry experience.

You'll also need to show ability in English, maths and IT.

More Information

• guide to apprenticeships

You may be able to apply directly for job vacancies if you have several years' experience and qualifications in a trade, for example plumbing or hairdressing.

You can then train for a teaching qualification on the job, if you have your employer's support.

It will be useful to get experience of working with young people through paid work or volunteering at a school or college.

Do-it has more information on voluntary opportunities in your area.

You can apply directly to work in further education if you have relevant experience, knowledge and skills in a technical or academic subject.

You can also teach some subjects in further education if you have a background in schools teaching and hold qualified teacher status (QTS).

Career tips

You can get qualified teacher learning and skills status while you work, once you have a minimum of a level 5 teaching qualification.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in further education from FE advice and Get Into Teaching.

You'll need:

• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to enjoy working with other people
• customer service skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

Your regular tasks may include:

• planning and preparing classes for students
• teaching lessons, taking tutorials and running practical workshops
• using e-learning technology to deliver lessons
• working with learning support staff to give students with special educational needs or disabilities extra help
• checking and marking work and giving feedback
• helping and motivating students facing barriers to learning and making sure that all students work well together
• making referrals to other professionals like mentors, personal tutors, careers advisors and counsellors
• taking registers, keeping records and ordering resources
• making sure safeguarding and health and safety procedures are followed

You may also be involved in:

• interviewing potential students
• working with exam boards to set and mark essays and exams
• meeting with subject colleagues and other staff to plan and review work and share good practice
• planning and taking part in events like open days or recruitment activities
• attending training courses and keeping up with professional development

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

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

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