Preparatory Certificate in Education & Training (Further Education and Skills Sector)

Admission to the Preparatory Certificate will be open to both new applicants to teaching (pre-service) and in-service teachers in the FES Sector who, at the point of entry, meet the following national entry requirements:

• A minimum of a Level 3 qualification in all the specialist subjects¹ they will be/wish to teach

• GCSE English at grade C/4 or above (or OfQual approved equivalent)

• Where English is not the applicant’s first language: The ability to communicate fluently, accurately and effectively in professional spoken English (IELTS 7.5 with no element lower than 7.0 (or equivalent)²

• Completion of a satisfactory course interview³

• 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 IELTS certification date must be within two years of the point of application.

³ 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 expects to have a degree in the subject.

Please note that if you continue your teacher education onto a course with a placement requirement, (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).

Please see the course page for the latest information regarding fees and financial support we can offer you.

Learners are responsible for meeting any travel costs related to travelling to and from placement.

Please note: This course is not eligible for funding from Student Finance England.

Through the Looking Glass. The Partnership produces an annual professional journal of trainees’ Action Research reports for those undertaking the Cert Ed or the PGCE (full teaching qualification route). As this is a valuable opportunity for trainees to have their work published, it is also a useful learning resource for you to see the standard of work produced. If you wish to purchase a copy it is approx. £10.

Enhanced DBS check. If you are studying the pre-service route, you may be asked to cover the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If you are already employed as a teacher this should already have been completed by your employer.

Teaching materials. The provision of your own laptop/computer and stationery is essential for this course.

Completion of the certificate can lead to progression onto either the Intermediate Certificate in Teaching, Learning and Assessment (Further Education and Skills Sector), the Certificate in Education (Further Education and Skills Sector) or the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (Further Education and Skills Sector).

Click here for further information about the Intermediate Certificate in Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Click here for further information about the Certificate in Education

Click here for further information about the Postgraduate Certificate in Education

If you choose to continue your studies to the PGCE or Certificate in Education, once you have graduated from this further study, you would be eligible to apply for QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills) status.