Blog Post

Level 5 Teaching and Training qualification - the future

Simon Linard • Jan 30, 2024

What we currently have

The Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (known as the DET) is the current, up to date Level 5 teaching qualification. This was introduced in 2014 and replaced the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS). The DET sits within the Education and Training suite of qualifications, alongside the Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) and the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET). 

The Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training has been and still is a very flexible and valuable qualification for vocational Teachers, Trainers and Tutors to gain, opening up opportunities for employment and linked to QTLS. The structure of the qualification units provides bespoke pathways for learners to follow, based on their own role or how they want to develop. 

The new Level 5 qualification 

The Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) is on the way. This sits on the new framework for teaching qualifications and will be available from September 2024. It is mapped to the Occupational Standards and mirror the Level 5 Apprenticeship route - Learning and Skills Teacher

There is a lot of information available on the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) website  relating to changes and how the qualification is being developed. Awarding Organisations will be given the ownership of the qualification as it is completely new and not an update to the DET. 

The key facts 

Respected Author and sector expert Ann Gravells provided a recent update on the key facts that relate to the new Level 5 qualification - this information comes from her January 2024 newsletter. 

  • The Diploma in Education and Training (DET) Level 5 is due to be phased out from September 2024. In its place comes the Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) Level 5+. At the moment, this is going by the acronym DiT.
  • Centres can register learners on the current DET until 31st August 2024.
  • The DiT qualification includes 250 hours on placement (150 teaching hours with age 14+ and 100 other duties e.g. meetings/CPD) at two locations, and includes 20 hours of virtual teaching. There will be 10 observations to groups of at least 10 learners.
  • Two local mentors will be needed to support the learner: a subject specialist mentor and a pastoral support mentor.
  • Level 2 maths and English are an entry requirement.
  • Awarding organisations (AOs) will write the qualification specification and unit content. Guidance will therefore differ between AOs.
  • The DfE confirmed that qualifications created under this framework will be eligible to receive public funding from 1 September 2024 (subject to completion of required Student Loans Company processes).
  • The DiT does not include the Minimum Core, which still applies to the current CET and DET qualifications. 
  • The qualification content will be based on the Occupational Standards from the Learning and Skills Teacher Apprenticeship.
  • Your awarding organisation will be able to give you more details. Please contact them to find out if they will be offering it.


Ann will be co-writing a new text book for the Diploma in Teaching. 

A summary of the Level 5 

The Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) will consist of 5 unit and optional units. 

Here are the mandatory units:  
  • Teaching my subject
  • Learners and learning 
  • Teachers and teaching 
  • Professional practice 
  • Education technology 
These units will be supported by a range of optional units. One key development is that Awarding Organisations will have the opportunity to develop their own optional units to cover the unit credits required. This could lead to the qualification looking slightly different depending on the Awarding Organisation as they will write their own qualification specifications and optional units. 

Do you need to update?

No. There is no need to update your qualification, whichever Level 5 teaching qualification you hold will still be recognised, you are still qualified and can still meet industry requirements relevant to the sector you work in. If you are currently working towards the existing Level 5 Diploma in Eduction and Training (DET) qualification it will also be recognised once you complete it.  

How we can help 

We will post regularly on our social media to keep up to date with the developments and blog again once the qualifications near their release. 

If you would like to undertake any of the existing Education and Training qualifications we can help! The  Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET)Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET) or Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET) are all available. Alternatively you could take your existing qualification and move up a level to gain a higher level qualification. 

Whatever your needs we are here to help. If you have any questions or would like to talk through the options available to you please get in touch.

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