Undergraduate Course 

Certificate in Education Post 14 Further Education and Skills

Our course is designed for anyone who is teaching post-14 learners, paid or voluntary, in a further education (FE) setting, training establishment, special school, academy, prison or young offender institution. Teaching will build on your experiences, enabling you to put new ideas into practice. The course is also suitable for learners who are trainers as part of their role as current teaching assistants.

You will study at Leek campus, a site which is both steeped in history while offering state-of-the-art facilities, having recently undergone a £7m redevelopment.

What you will study

This course offers a strong foundation for the professional development of teachers through practical teaching opportunities, underpinned with theoretical study and discourse.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

How you will learn

You will learn through a mixture of coursework, observations of teaching practice, self-evaluation, reflective tasks, written assignments, presentations and some group tasks. Throughout the course, you will also deliver at least 50 hours of teaching.

You’re required to undertake research and write in an appropriate academic style using Harvard Referencing systems. All assessments require you to apply theory to your own practice and you will engage with learning theory.

Careers

After you have completed this course, this 120 credit Level 5/6 qualification enables you to achieve a full qualification to teach in the FE and skills sector (Post 14).

If you achieve a Level 5 Certificate of Education and wish to progress to graduate status, you may be able to top up to a BA (Hons) Education.

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

We're here to help prepare you for life after university.

Career Support Image

96%
of UK graduates are in employment or further study.

Top 5
for employability.
Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.

87%
of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

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