Service to Civilian pathway

What is the Service to Civilian pathway?

If you’re teaching in the military, or you’ve got a partner in the services, our Service to Civilian pathway is a perfect way for you to move into a teaching career.

Supported by the Ministry of Defence, the Service to Civilian pathway offers you the chance to achieve a Certificate in Further Education and Training (CertEd) or a PGCE in Further Education and Training. You’ll learn on the job, working with a Subject Mentor in your school or college, with a support team at the University of Portsmouth. 

The Service to Civilian pathway is designed for your needs, building on our successes with the Further Forces programme that put more than 150 military leavers into college jobs and placements. You won’t need prior teaching qualifications or experience – just a commitment to the prospect of teaching in a further education setting: sixth forms, technical colleges, or independent training providers. 

How to apply

To join our Service to Civilian pathway, you’ll need GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4 or above (or Level 2 Functional Skills), and demonstrable technical skills or professional competence.

But the first step in the application process is to email us and register your interest. 

Please note, although we accept applications throughout the duration of the programme, applying as soon as possible is strongly recommended, as places are limited.

After you apply

Once we receive your application, we'll contact you to discuss your interests and assess your current skills and experience. 

What can I teach?

On this course, you'll focus on pedagogy – the study of teaching itself – and the actual job of teaching. That means there's no subject you can't teach. In fact, we recommend you think about what you can offer as a teacher, and discuss your skills and knowledge with us as part of your application. 

Graduates of the Further Forces programme have used their service experience to become teachers in areas including public services, engineering, maths, English, history, catering and business. 

The key is to be passionate about your subject, committed to working with colleagues and students, and – crucially – focused on what learners are learning (rather than what you are teaching). 

Course costs

The cost of this part-time course, for UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students, is £4,625 per year (subject to annual increase).

As a member of the armed forces, you could be eligible for ELCAS funding. You may also be able to apply for a student loan to pay your tuition fees.

For Commanding Officers

Sharing the Service to Civilian pathway is a way for you to support your personnel in their transition to civilian life, in line with Ministry of Defence intentions. You’ll also be helping address a critical shortage of technical skills in the UK.