How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
University
You can do a further education (FE) teaching qualification at university.
Qualifications include:
- Certificate in Education (Cert Ed)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Post Compulsory Education and Training
- Postgraduate Certificate in Further Education and Training
To teach an academic qualification like an A level, you'll usually need a degree in the subject.
Some courses include a placement to get practical experience, others may ask that you are already working in an FE college as an unqualified teacher.
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
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College
You could do a teaching qualification at college, such as:
- Certificate in Education (Cert Ed)
- Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training
- Level 5 Diploma in Teaching with a specialist pathway for teaching literacy, numeracy, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), or teaching disabled learners
Employers will expect you to have experience or a qualification in the subject you want to teach.
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
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Apprenticeship
You could do a Learning and Skills Teacher Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.
You'll usually need:
- a qualification in the subject you want to teach
- recent experience in your industry
- ability in English, maths and IT
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
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Work
You could apply directly to work as an unqualified further education teacher if you have a minimum of a level 3 qualification and lots of experience in your industry.
Once working, you could complete a teaching qualification on the job. Some employers might help to fund your training.
You'll also need level 2 qualifications in maths and English (though level 3 or higher if you're planning to teach these subjects). If you do not have these qualifications, the learning provider may support you to get them as part of your teacher training course.
Volunteering
It will be useful to get experience through paid work or volunteering at a school, college or adult learning centre.
You can get help with finding:
Direct Application
You can apply directly to teach in further education if you have relevant experience and qualifications in a technical or academic subject.
You can also apply directly to teach some subjects in further education, if you have taught them in a school and hold qualified teacher status (QTS).
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Career tips
You can work towards qualified teacher learning and skills status (QTLS), if you already have a teaching qualification at level 5 or above.
Further information
You can find out more about how to become a further education teacher from Teach in Further Education.