Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE and Skills)

This new qualification is designed for individuals working or planning to work in the Further Education and Skills (FES) sector. It provides a full teaching qualification aligned with the occupational standards approved by employers and key stakeholders across the sector. The FES sector includes a wide range of settings such as further education colleges, adult and community learning, work-based learning environments, and other institutions delivering vocational, technical, and professional education.

The course covers all aspects of teaching in the FES sector and is fully mapped to the Level 5 Learning and Skills Teacher occupational standard (ST0149).

Delivery is through a blended learning format. Weekly face-to-face sessions take place at the Warrington campus, with hybrid options available to offer greater flexibility. Tutorials are offered either in person or online to support accessibility. Teaching observations are required and must take place in your current workplace setting.

Sessions are held every Tuesday from 4:30pm to 7:30pm during term time. In addition to this, you are expected to complete 1.5 hours of independent study each week through blended learning, along with wider reading and research to support your assignments.

This qualification is designed to support a wide range of trainee teachers and trainers, including:

Individuals who are not currently teaching or training but are able to meet the practice requirements of the course, including observed and assessed teaching practice.

Individuals who are already teaching or training and can meet the observed and assessed practice requirements of the qualification.

Assessors who are currently working in the field and wish to gain a teaching qualification, provided they can meet the observed and assessed practice requirements.

You should choose to study this course if you're looking to gain a full, recognised teaching qualification specifically tailored to the Further Education and Skills (FES) sector. Whether you're already teaching, working as an assessor, or preparing to enter the profession, this course offers the flexibility and support you need to meet the required standards.

Delivered through a blended learning format—with weekly face-to-face or hybrid sessions, accessible tutorials, and workplace-based observations—it’s designed to fit around your professional commitments. The course aligns fully with the Level 5 Learning and Skills Teacher occupational standard, ensuring your training is relevant, up to date, and valued by employers across a wide range of FES settings.

By completing this qualification, you’ll gain the skills, knowledge, and professional status needed to build a rewarding career in further education, adult learning, or work-based training environments.

Students who successfully complete this qualification will take both an analytical and practical approach to planning, delivering, and assessing inclusive teaching and learning. You will apply educational theories and principles directly to your practice and develop the skills needed to teach effectively in both traditional classroom settings and online environments.

Assessment throughout the course is varied and includes assignments, presentations, practical observations of teaching, small-scale practitioner research, and specialist practitioner observations.

You will be expected to engage in wider reading and research to support your progress through the qualification.

The course is well structured to support your success, with a focus on helping you achieve your best while balancing study with your existing commitments. It is delivered in a hybrid format to increase accessibility and flexibility.

On completion of this qualification, you may choose to progress to further study, such as a foundation degree or a BA (Hons) degree in a subject related to education. Please note that teaching must take place within the post-16 education sector.

If you achieve the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE & Skills) and move on to a higher education qualification at Level 6 or above, your Level 5 credits may be recognised, depending on the recognition of prior learning arrangements at the higher education institution.

This course can also lead directly to employment within the Further Education sector.

Our tutors are highly experienced and skilled in their specialist professional sectors and enhance the courses they teach on with their excellent industry links.

The course is delivered in line with Equality and SEND legislation. The classroom is an inclusive learning environment, and students with SpLDs can be referred for additional support outside of the classroom, within the college.

We have a team of staff dedicated to providing learning support if required, as well as a Wellbeing Team that is on hand to offer guidance, support, and help when needed. Additionally, eligible students can access a wide range of finance and funding support to help them during their time at college.

Click here for learning support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/learning-support

Click here for finance support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/financial-support

The college offers a range of flexible learning opportunities to support students throughout their studies. Our tutors are highly experienced professionals with strong backgrounds in their specialist sectors, enriching the course content through excellent industry links. They also regularly engage in work experience and further study to ensure their knowledge remains current and relevant.

As part of the course, you will have access to an additional 20 hours of placement in a secondary setting to support your continuing professional development (CPD).

Before enrolment, you must obtain a DBS Disclosure and provide a reference—this could be from a previous course leader or teacher.

In the first few weeks of the course, you will be asked to complete initial assessments in literacy, numeracy, and digital skills to support your individual development in these areas.

You will typically have one of the following:

• A minimum of a level 3 qualification in a vocational subject (related to your chosen teaching specialism) (64 UCAS points) AND appropriate relevant work experience. Mature students who have appropriate work experience in a related sector or role and/or have professional qualifications in a related industry are welcome to apply.
• A degree in your subject specialism (academic subjects).

AND

• A* to C grade and/or 9 to 4 in GCSE English (Language or Literature) or level 2 equivalent.
• A* to C grade and/or 9 to 4 in GCSE maths (or level 2 equivalent).

Non-native English speakers who have not undertaken their final two years of schooling in English, need to demonstrate capability in English at a standard equivalent to the levels identified below, before being recruited to the programme. The programme is both taught and assessed through the medium of English.

Students must meet the following minimum criteria:

• 19 years of age and above.
• Able to demonstrate an ability to study at level 5.
• Suitable level of digital competency to ensure they can meet the requirements of the qualification.

You will be required to present proof of the above requested qualifications in order to enrol.

You will need to complete an initial assessment to determine if a level 5 qualification is appropriate and achievable.

Additional requirements include access to 150 hours teaching practice over the full term of the course. This must be arranged by yourself and be in place prior to enrolment.

The cost of the course is £2997 per academic year. This course does not come under the remit of Student Finance and therefore, you cannot apply for a student loan to fund it. You can however consider undertaking the qualification via an apprenticeship route: Level 5 Learning and Skills Teacher Apprenticeship.

For personalised funding advice, please contact our friendly Learner Services Team on 01925 494 400 or learner.services@wvr.ac.uk.