Professional recognition
The Certificate in Education 14+ programmes meet the requirement of the FE-specific Diploma in Education and Training (DET). All new FE and Skills sector teachers must complete a teacher education qualification as the first step in obtaining QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills).
The course does not lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to teach in schools. However, QTLS does legally have equivalence to QTS and is recognised by some head teachers in schools.
- The entry requirements for this qualification will depend on the area which you wish to teach to special educational needs learners and on your prior qualifications and experience, but we require a minimum of a Level 3 (or equivalent) qualification. You’ll need to have experience of working or volunteering with learners with additional needs, e.g. you may have worked as a support worker, teaching assistant or carer, volunteered for a charity or you may have experience supporting a family member with additional needs.
- You'll be required to attend an interview as part of the application process. This will involve written diagnostic tests for English/literacy and mathematics/numeracy, a short oral presentation, and a face-to-face interview.
- This course involves working unsupervised with children and/or vulnerable young people and adults and you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service.
- You'll need to provide satisfactory references, a satisfactory health declaration and a satisfactory student agreement prior to enrolment on the course.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- Please note that this course is subject to the University of Bolton's Fitness to Practise procedure.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
This course is a stepping stone into education for students who are interested in teaching learners with additional needs in the Further Education and Skills sector. As part of the course you’ll have the opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers, including communication skills, team work, planning and the ability to solve problems, in relation to education.
You’ll also have the opportunity to develop your teaching skills on a professional placement in a post-14 context, gaining the excellent classroom and behaviour management skills that are essential for this area of work.
What can I do with this qualification?
Many of our graduates have gone on to teach learners with additional needs in the FE and Skills sector. This can be in areas such as special schools, adult and community education, further education, sixth form colleges, universities, the prison and probation services, pre-employment training and work-based learning.
Alternative career options
Some graduates pursue careers outside the 14+ education sector or seek alternative roles within education. Some of these roles may require further training, qualifications and/or experience. These can include:
- Higher education lecturing
- Local Authority education
- Mentoring
- Family liaison
- Educational psychology
- Education administration
- Student services
- Student liaison
- Educational writing
- Examinations
- Counselling
- Careers guidance
- Training
- Quality standards
| Home Fees |
Year of study |
Total |
| Entry year | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
|---|
| 2024 | £9,250 | - | £9,250 |
|---|
| International |
Year of study |
Total |
| Entry year | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
|---|
| 2024 | £15,950 | - | £15,950 |
|---|
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year:
EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status.
If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement.
Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the
normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in
March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
Bursaries
Click here for more information about the scholarships and bursaries available to University of Bolton students.
We take a blended approach to teaching and learning, using a combination of face-to-face sessions, work-based learning and electronic resources and communications. You can expect timetabled classes and lectures, along with workshops, small group and individual practical activities, and structured exercises and discussions. Individual support will be given in tutorials. We’ll encourage you to take part in online discussions with your peers and tutors, to make full use of ICT as a source of information and support, and to maintain a digital portfolio of evidence.
Work-based placements will be arranged for you in situations that meet the requirements for becoming a qualified teacher in the FE and Skills sector. They may involve daytime or evening teaching or both. Your prior knowledge, experience and interests will be taken into account, but will not limit our selection of placements for you.
During your placements, your teaching practice will be assessed according to Ofsted guidelines and documented through session planning, observation reports and reflective journals. You’ll receive informal feedback on your performance, to help you assess your progress and improve your practice, as well as formal assessment that will contribute to your overall grade for the course.
Additional formal assessment will be based on coursework. You’ll be expected to produce written work that demonstrates your understanding and ability to apply the course content. You’ll also receive informal peer and tutor feedback on individual and group activities. Your tutor will guide you towards areas of appropriate research and background reading that will help you to complete your coursework.
To be awarded your CertEd qualification, you’ll need to demonstrate that you’ve met all the learning outcomes for the course. Our highly experienced and dedicated staff will guide and support you in this, but a significant amount of personal and independent study is essential and you’ll need to take responsibility for managing your own learning.
The course is designed to help you achieve your potential and enjoy teaching. By encouraging you to reflect on your performance and take charge of your own development, we aim to prepare you for a successful career in education.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Introduction to Teaching and Learning
- Behaviour and Wellbeing for Teaching and Learning
- Curriculum and Assessment for Teaching and Learning
- Developing Professionalism in Teaching and Learning Teaching Learners with Additional Needs (TLAN) Part 1 - SEN
- Developing Professionalism in Teaching and Learning - Teaching Learners with Additional Needs (TLAN) Part 2 - SEN
Assessment methods
| Level | Assesment method |
|---|
| Level one | Coursework 100% |
|---|
Learning activities
| Level | Learning activity |
|---|
| Level one | Guided independent study 80%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20% |
|---|
Disclaimer
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
