Become a further education teacher

Teaching in further education means working with older students, usually aged 16 and over. With further education teacher training, you'd be qualified to teach in sixth forms, colleges and training centres.

If that sounds like your idea of a rewarding career, we offer two routes into further education teaching: the PGCE and the CertEd, depending on your current qualifications. Our Further Education and Skills teacher training provision was rated Good by Ofsted in 2024. 

When you graduate with your further education PGCE or CertEd, you'll have a recognised teaching qualification as a teacher in further education. You'll also have expert knowledge gained by working closely with course teachers and work-based subject mentors.

How you'll study

If you’re new to teaching, you can study for one year full-time at the University, with an in-person teaching placement and support from a subject mentor. 

If you’re already working or teaching in further education, you can study for two years part-time at one of our partner colleges, alongside your current role. You’ll teach at least 75 hours and complete a minimum of 50 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) per year, supported by a subject mentor. 

For both the PGCE and CertEd, you’ll need GCSE English and mathematics at grade 4/C or above, or equivalent, alongside the qualification-specific entry requirements below. 

Whichever route you choose, you’ll develop your teaching expertise by working closely with course tutors and work-based subject mentors, graduating with a recognised teaching qualification for the further education sector. 

Further Education and Skills PGCE 

If you already hold a UK undergraduate degree or equivalent, you can apply for our PGCE in Further Education and Skills. 

We offer two PGCE qualifications: 

• Professional Graduate Certificate in Education, studied at Level 6. 

• Postgraduate Certificate in Education, studied at Level 7. 

The qualifications available depend on where you study: 

Further Education and Skills CertEd 

If you don’t have an undergraduate degree, our Certificate in Education (Further Education and Skills), known as the CertEd, could be the route for you. You’ll need a relevant Level 3 qualification and sufficient professional experience to demonstrate competence in your subject area. 

You can study the CertEd full-time at the University of Portsmouth, or part-time at one of the following partner colleges: 

• Havant and South Downs College 

• Isle of Wight College 

• South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh College 

• Peter Symonds College