Certificate in Education Lifelong Learning (Level 5)

The Certificate in Education Lifelong Learning (Level 5) is an award of the University of Huddersfield.

Entry Requirements

All applicants must have:

• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (this can be completed through the College before the start of the programme, but costs will need to be met by the trainee)
• Satisfactory references
• Complete a satisfactory interview

In addition the entry requirements for this course are:

• Have qualifications at Level 3 or above, eg HNC, CGLI Advanced, NVQ Level 3/4 or other professional qualification
• Level 2 maths and English, eg GCSE grade 4/C or functional skills
• The ability to demonstrate appropriate work experience in the area you wish to teach
• If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent.
• Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered

Applications are welcomed from those from under-represented groups and diverse backgrounds

Course Overview

This course is aimed at those who are already working as a teacher or trainer at a recognised training or educational establishment within the education and training sector (in-service) as well as those who are not currently working within a teaching or training environment (pre-service). It is particularly suitable for those who have work experience and/or qualifications in industry including IT, business and administration, hair and beauty, health and social care, early years, uniformed public services, construction and allied trades, engineering, catering and hospitality and many other vocational areas.

Trainees will need to undertake a minimum of 250 hours of paid or voluntary work as a teacher or trainer at a recognised training or educational establishment and identify a work-based mentor who can support them in their specialist subject.

For more information, contact Kelly Ackroyd, Programme Lead for Teacher Education and Training - k.ackroyd@s6f.org.uk

Course Modules

There are four core modules:

• Research Informed Teaching
• Learning and Assessment
• Becoming a Subject Specialist Teacher
• Being a Subject Specialist Teacher, Policy and Professional Issues

Duration

• 1 year - full-time
• 2 years - part-time

Delivery Model

• Full-time – 2 days per week + tutorial. Part-time study option available
• Part-time – 3 hrs per week + tutorial (day or evening sessions dependent upon cohort preferences)

Assessment

Assessment includes a variety of methods such as practical micro-teaching sessions, resource design, portfolio, conference paper and written assignments.

Cost (2025/26)

• Full-time -  £9,535 per year
• Part-time - £4,767.50 per year

Tuition Fees and Financial Support

All tuition fees for Certificate in Education, Professional and Postgraduate Certificate in Education and Postgraduate Diploma in Education are funded via Student Finance England (SFE) for both full and part-time study (subject to meeting criteria).

Repayments only begin once the course is finished or the trainee leaves the course and if their income is over the payment threshold, which is currently £27,295 (2023-24 academic year).

Student maintenance loans are also available for full and part-time study options. Additional training bursaries are available for pre-service trainees studying specific subjects.

Go to Funding and Finance for Students for more information.

Bursaries

A tax-free pre-service bursary of up to £31,000* is available for initial teacher education trainees studying the Certificate in Education, Professional and Postgraduate Certificate in Education and Postgraduate Diploma in Education who choose to teach the following subjects:

• Mathematics - £31,000
• Science, including biology, chemistry or physics - £31,000
• Computing - £31,000
• Engineering or manufacturing - £31,000
• English - £15,000 (capped at 100 places)
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) - £15,000

*subject to meeting eligibility criteria. These are the latest figures for the 2025-26 academic year

How to Apply

Complete an application form