The Dip/Prof GCE in Education and Training is a suite of courses for teaching in the Further Education and Skills Sector known as The Diploma in Education and Training (DET). For this course we work in partnership with colleges and other organisations in a variety of geographical locations in Kent and London.

Course Overview, Course Duration and Modes of Study

The DET is generally a 2-year part time course with structured learning/attendance once per week over around 30 weeks per year. Partner colleges will provide you with a detailed local timetable. In year two of your DET studies, if you already hold a degree (or equivalent qualification), you may choose to complete the Professional Graduate Certificate of Education (ProfGCE) level 6 route. Advice and guidance from your personal tutor will be provided during your Year 1 studies.

If you teach English ESOL or Literacy, Maths or learners with Special Needs there is an opportunity to study specialist pathways. Pathways are only available at specific partner colleges and you would travel to those colleges to complete the 2 specialist modules but study at your ’home’ college for the other 4 modules of the course. Note that this is likely to entail additional travelling time and costs but does enable you to achieve the specialist qualification instead of the generic DET.

Course Aims

The course aims to develop:

• The knowledge and skills to provide effective, inclusive teaching, learning and assessment opportunities for their learners.
• The knowledge and understanding of a range of social, political, pedagogical, economic and curriculum issues affecting the wider FE and Skills Sector.
• The ability to meet the requirements for achievement of the professional standards laid down for teachers in the FE and Skills Sector.
• The ability to use reflection on experience to develop inclusive practice.
• The ability to use professional and academic texts to develop a principled understanding of theory and practice.
• The subject specific knowledge and understanding of English or Mathematics for those on specialist pathways.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding of key theoretical perspectives in planning, teaching and assessment.
• Apply this understanding to plan, manage and deliver inclusive learning, teaching and assessment in specialist subject.
• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of a range of social, political, pedagogical, economic and curriculum issues affecting the wider FE and Skills Sector.
• Evaluate own teaching in order to improve professional practice.

We work in Partnership with: College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London; London South East College (Orpington); Mid Kent College; Orchard Hill College; South Thames College; Uxbridge College; West Thames College.

We recommend you engage with some reading, ready to help inform your pre-course reflection. Please select from the recommended reading list in the Pre-Course Reading section below.

Teaching practice

There is a requirement to undertake (a minimum of) 100 hours of teaching practice in order to complete this qualification. Therefore, please make sure that you have an appropriate paid or voluntary teaching role within the FE and Skills Sector before starting this course.

You will receive further information regarding your welcome activities and teaching timetable from your colleges.

You will be given a detailed student handbook with reading lists for each module when you start your course. The following suggestions are good textbooks to take you through much of the course:

• Armitage, A., Cogger, A., Evershed, J., Hayes, D., Lawes, S. & Renwick, M. (2016) Teaching in Post-14 Education and Training. 5th Ed. Maidenhead, Berkshire: Open University Press.
• Avis, J., Fisher, R. and Thompson, R. (eds) (2010) Teaching in Lifelong Learning. A Guide to Theory and Practice. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
• Petty, G. (2009) Teaching Today: A practical guide. 4th edn. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes.
• Reece, I. and Walker, S. (2007) Teaching, Training and Learning: A practical guide. 6th edn. Sunderland: Business Education Publishers

It is useful to note that the University Bookshop offers 10% discount on most titles in print and have some price-beating book bundles. They also price match Amazon on core texts recommended in the module handbooks you will receive when you start in September. UK deliveries are FREE for orders over £10 and are usually dispatched within 48 hours.