Requirements

Further education teaching professional - requirements

As a further education teaching professional, sometimes called a further education teacher or lecturer, you’ll teach or train students in the late teens across academic, vocational and recreational subjects. Here you can find out more about this career and what it might involve.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be a further education teaching professional?

To teach at a further education level, you’ll need to achieve a Level 5 qualification in education and training. You’ll also usually need a qualification in your academic subject or vocational area. You might consider a qualification in subjects like:

You can also complete qualifications in education and training at lower levels as you work towards a level 5 qualification, which allows you to apply for QTLS status. Different employers may offer differently structured professional training pathways to get qualified.

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Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a further education teaching professional?

A postgraduate qualification in education, usually as PGCE, is a typical way to qualify as a further education professional after studying your chosen subject area.

You might consider postgraduate study options such as:

Postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE)
Postgraduate teaching apprenticeships
Educational leadership
International education

What skills do you need to be a further education teaching professional?

Strong knowledge of your subject area or vocation is essential in this role, as well as the ability to communicate and engage with students.

Hard skills usually include:

Subject knowledge
Educating children and young adults
Child protection laws and practices
Developing educational curricula
Understanding special learning needs
Planning and delivering lectures or lessons
Pastoral care policies and practices

Soft skills include:

Teaching and communicating
Motivating yourself and others
Time management
Planning
Leadership
Basic literacy and numeracy
Emotional intelligence

Do you need work experience to be a further education teaching professional?

Having experience of working with young adults will be very helpful, for both your employment prospects and your performance. You might find this experience by volunteering in youth-focused environments like charities, clubs or colleges. Classroom experience through shadowing or working as a teaching assistant is especially useful.