Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE and Skills) (DiT) is the new qualification previously known as Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training. If you want to up-scale your teaching career or want to become a qualified teacher in the post-16 further education sector, this qualification could be a good fit for you.
Key Takeaways
- The Level 5 DiT (FE and Skills) is an Ofqual-regulated qualification designed for those teaching in post-16 education and training.
- Learners must complete 7 units and meet the practical requirements of 250 placement hours, and 10 observations to complete this qualification.
- DiT leads to QTLS status and opens opportunities in FE colleges, private training centres, and vocational education.
In this definitive guide, we will walk you through every bit of information to help you get started with Level 5 DiT qualification.
What is a Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills)?
Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) is a nationally recognised, Ofqual-regulated teaching qualification ideal for those who want to become qualified teachers in the post-16 Further Education (FE) sector. Moreover, it offers an excellent opportunity for existing instructors to refine their teaching skills and expertise for lifelong learning.
What are the Entry Requirements of Level 5 DiT (FE and Skills)?
The entry requirements to be eligible for the Level 5 DiT (FE and Skills) course are as follows:
A learner:
- Must be 19 years of age or above
- Must contain enough proof of Level 2 qualifications in Maths and English (minimum)
- Should be qualified or experienced in the specific subject area
- Is required to have the capability to exhibit proficiency in studying at a level 5
- Possess an adequate level of digital proficiency to accomplish the qualification requirements
What are the Practical Requirements for a Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE and Skills)?
The learners must complete the following practical requirements of the course:
- Learners are required to complete 250 placement hours, including 150 hours of teaching practice and 100 hours in their specialist subject area – with 80 hours spent on face-to-face instruction and 20 hours on remote synchronous (live) delivery – and the remaining 50 hours are allotted to another subject area outside the learner’s specialisation.
- Out of 250 hours, 100 hours of non-teaching practice are also required such as team and assessment meetings, planning, conducting interviews or CPD activities.
- For assessment and observation, Level 5 DiT learners must also complete 10 observations in two different educational settings/organisations, each lasting approximately 45 minutes.
- Two mentors are required to support learners through their journey: a subject specialist mentor and a pastoral mentor.
What Can you do with Level 5 DiT Qualification?
Once The Level 5 DiT (FE and Skills) qualification is completed, you can teach in various post-16 education sectors, including:
- Adult teaching and training centres
- Private training/learning centres
- Further Education (FE) colleges or institutions
This diploma in teaching allows learners to gain QTLS status and become qualified teachers in the Further Education and Skills sector.
Learn more about QTLS and its benefits.
Is this Qualification Limited to a Few Professions Only?
No, this level 5 diploma in teaching (FE and Skills) qualification is accessible to a diverse range of people, including:
- Teaching organisations
- Training course providers
- Private training/learning centres
- Local governing bodies
- Non-profit organisations
- Defence forces or military services
- Youth correctional facilities
- HR managers
- Adult learning
- Training centres and
- Vocational education
What does the Level 5 DiT (FE and Skills) Cover?
The Level 5 DiT (FE and Skills) covers different units such as:
Unit 1: Teaching my Subject
This unit prepares students to have a good understanding of the subject they will be teaching. Learners will be able to reflect on their learning, especially the areas they find challenging and how they overcame that.
Unit 2: Learners and Learning
Learners will be trained to identify diverse learners in their classrooms. This unit covers various teaching methodologies and pedagogies to help learners implement effective strategies for engaging and interesting classroom learning.
Unit 3: Teachers and Teaching
This unit helps learners understand the role of a teacher in the Further Education and Skills (FE and Skills) sector. It covers the essential characteristics of good teachers, such as strong communication skills, empathy, and adaptability. The unit emphasises the importance of collaboration and encourages teachers to learn from their peers. Additionally, it addresses practical aspects of teaching, including curriculum development, lesson planning, resource creation, assessment methods, and feedback techniques.
Unit 4: Professional Practice
Unit 4 will help learners use their professional development in different learning settings. In this unit, candidates will take part in hands-on learning, both collaborative and independent teaching, curriculum development and evaluation, creating detailed lesson plans, designing assessments, and implementing strategies for managing student behaviour.
Unit 5: Effective Digital and Online Pedagogies
This unit aims to ensure candidates have a strong grasp of educational technology to support their professional practice and demonstrate occupational competence.
Unit 6: Developing, Using and Organising Resources in a Specialist Area
This unit enables learners to develop, use and organise resources within a specialist subject, vocational or other area. It also includes understanding legal requirements and responsibilities relating to resources and evaluating own practice in their development and use.
Unit 7: Action Research
The research area allows learners to use various research and investigative skills that suit their professional roles while also benefiting the organisation they work for. Candidates must select a research topic relevant to their organisation, demonstrate strong research and investigation abilities, choose the right research methods, and critically assess the results of their research.
How Long does the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (DiT) take to Complete?
The Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE and Skills) takes upto 18 months to complete. It has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 1200 hours and Guided Learning Hours (GLH) of 400 hours.
At Britannia School of Academics, we offer fast track and Flexi payment plans to help learners complete their certification at their earliest convenience.
Become a Qualified Teacher in Further Education and Skills!
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How is Level 5 DiT (FE and Skills) Different from Level 5 DET?
The Level 5 DiT (FE and Skills) is different from Level 5 DET because it demands more in-depth study, and hands-on experience and is especially focused more on practical requirements.
It has 250 hours of teaching practice, and 100 additional hours for non-teaching practices like CPD, planning and observation or team and assessment meetings. In addition to that, a minimum of 10 observations (45 minutes each) and two mentors are also required to satisfy the course requirements.
As of 1 September, 2024 the Diploma in Education and Training (DET) and related qualifications have been replaced by the Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills), providing learners with a new pathway to attain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status.
