Certificate in Education and Training (Further Education and Skills Sector), Preparatory
- Approved by:
- University of Lancashire
- Start:
- Throughout the year.
- Location:
- University Centre
- Level:
- 5
- Institution code:
- H65
- UCAS code:
- n/a
This part time free-standing qualification is particularly suitable if you are interested in teaching and want a short qualification that does not have a minimum teaching requirement, or if you have just started a teaching role. It can also give you a 'taster' of teaching if you are unsure about whether teaching is for you.
The certificate is worth 20 credits at Level 5 on the Certificate in Education or PGCE (Education and Training) framework and is also equivalent to the first module of the Certificate in Education and PGCE (Education and Training), allowing you to progress onto a full teaching qualification at a later date if you choose to. You will need to undertake bridging activity and secure a placement with the assistance of your tutor.
It will give you a clear picture of the knowledge and skills required for teaching, learning and assessing in the Further Education and Skills sector.
The Preparatory Certificate is primarily for those wishing to work in job roles including trainer, assessor, instructor, demonstrator, mentor, and pastoral mentor. Institutions have their own qualification requirements and you are advised to check with your employer as to whether this target qualification is suitable for your current/future role or if you will need the full PGCE/Cert Ed.
This qualification does not confer QTS, but once you complete your PGCE or Certificate in Education you are eligible to apply via SET (society for education and training) to work towards gaining your QTLS. You will need to have QTS to be employed as a teacher in a secondary school, academy or free school, some organisations accept QTLS for teaching positions.
To find out more information about this course, or to speak to a tutor, please make an enquiry:
Ask a questionEntry Requirements
The Preparatory Certificate is open to new applicants to teaching who wish to work as teachers, trainers or tutors in the Further Education and Skills sector who, at the point ofentry meet the following entry requirements:
- 1. A minimum of a Level 3 qualification in all the specialist subjects they will be/wish to teach1
- 2. GCSE English at grade C/4 or above (or Ofqual approved equivalent) 2
- 3. Where English is not the applicant’s first language: The ability to communicate fluently, accurately, and effectively in professional spoken English. A current (IELTS 7.5 with no element lower than 7.0 (or equivalent) 3
- 4. Completion of a satisfactory course interview 4
- 5. Where the trainee is studying the in-service route: Provide confirmation of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
1 Specialist subject: Where the subject is regarded as SEND, the applicant must have a L3 SEND qualification.
2 Equivalent qualifications must be named by the Society for
Education and Training as
suitable for entry to QTLS (see Approved maths and
English qualifications | Society forEducation and Training (et-foundation.co.uk
)
3 IELTS certification date must be within two years of the point of application.
4 Applicants also need to demonstrate at interview and through references that they have the potential to become a good teacher.
If applicants have non-standard qualifications, they should contact the college course leader to enquire about equivalences.
Applicants for placements in vocational subjects will need to demonstrate suitable industrial/employment experience.
Applicants for placements in academic subjects are usually expected to have a degree in the subject.
Applicants are required to show original qualification certificates.
Applicants also need to demonstrate at interview that they have a strong interest in teaching and the potential to become a good teacher.
If you have non-standard qualifications, please contact the college course leader to enquire about equivalences.
Please note that if you continue your teacher education onto the following courses, Intermediate Certificate, Certificate in Education or PGCE, you will be required to show evidence that you have achieved GCSE mathematics at grade C/4 or above (or Ofqual approved equivalent).
In addition, those applicants wishing to teach English and those applicants wanting to teach maths (without a degree/’A’ Level in maths) will have to complete an additional entry assessment to demonstrate their content knowledge and skills. This may impact on the acquisition of a suitable teaching practice placement and therefore additional time must be factored in for this.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
This course will involve you working with vulnerable groups of individuals, including children. In order to ensure that the University Centre offers places on their programmes to suitable candidates, you will all be required to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (formerly termed CRB). We will be able to guide you through this process once you have been offered a conditional place of study at the Hugh Baird University Centre.
It is important to note that should your Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check proves to be unsatisfactory for the purpose of the course you have applied to, your offer of a place for that course may be withdrawn. If you have already enrolled on a course and your DBS check subsequently discloses a criminal conviction, you may be required to withdraw from the course even if you have already started. If you are aware that your DBS check will disclose a previous conviction, please contact the course leader for advice as not all convictions may preclude you from continuing with the course.
UCAS Tariff Calculator
Not sure how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth? Use our UCAS Tariff Calculator to find out. Quickly convert your A-levels, BTECs, or T-levels into UCAS points and see if you are eligible for this course:
Why choose us?
Small class sizes
You won’t be learning in a large lecture theatre with hundreds of other students, as you could at a traditional university.
Face-to-face learning
With in-person learning and direct tutor support, we offer an engaging student experience.
Extensive Support
Comprehensive and tailored one-to-one academic and personal support, helping you thrive both academically and personally.
How much will this course cost me?
Tuition fee loans cover university/college tuition fees and are paid direct to the university/college by Student Finance England, so you don’t need a pot of money up front.
They are available to all eligible students regardless of household income. The amount you pay back is dependent on how much you earn and not how much you owe and you won’t need to start paying them back until you are earning more than a certain amount.
It’s never too late to learn
We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 years or above). Even if you don't have the entry requirements, you may have gained knowledge and skills from relevant work or life experience, so we would consider your application on an individual basis.
Upcoming Events
Come and explore this course and the University Centre at an open event:
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions that we are often asked:
We want to make your university education as flexible and affordable as possible. We offer a number of financial support options to help you go further by staying local. You don’t need to pay for your tuition fees up front - Tuition Fee Loans cover university or college tuition fees and are paid direct to the university or college, by Student Finance England.
=== They are available to all eligible students regardless of household income. The amount you pay back is dependent on how much you earn. You may also be eligible for a Maintenance Loan to help support your living costs. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/student-finance
Yes. We have a dedicated team of staff on hand to help guide you through the admissions process, from selecting the right course, to completing your UCAS application and applying for financial support.
=== If you have any questions, or need help at any stage, call the Retention and Progression Team on 0151 353 4444, or email careers@hughbaird.ac.uk.
To find out more information about this course, or to speak to a tutor, please make an enquiry:
Important terms, conditions and disclaimer information about our courses can be found on our Wider Information Set.
It should be noted that all courses are subject to periodic review, usually every five years, by the awarding partner organisations. Any potential planned changes made to course content following such reviews shall be communicated on the University Centre website and in writing to individual students / applicants.
While we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place any day of the week.
Please note: Where there is no data, the course will be new, and data will be available from the 1st year of completion.
