About the qualification
Qualification Number: 601/2040/X
Operational Start Date: 1st December 2013
Total Qualification Time: 360 hours
Guided Learning: 140 hours
What are the objectives of the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training?
The main objective of this qualification is to develop learners’ skills in practical teaching skills and prepare them for work in a wide range of educational contexts. It requires observation and assessment of practice.
Who is the Certificate in Education and Training for?
The Level 4 Certificate can meet the needs of a range of trainee teachers, including those who:
- Want a qualification focused on practical teaching.
- Want a choice of optional units that reflects the context in which they teach.
- Are currently teaching and want to have their practice and experience accredited.
- Are not currently teaching but can meet the minimum teaching practice requirement of 30 hours.
- Have the potential to study at this level which equates to the first year of an undergraduate degree.
- Are willing to undertake an initial assessment of their skills in maths, English, and ICT.
- Are employed in a role which does not include the full range of teaching responsibilities, for example instructors or those who teach very small groups of learners.
- Carry out an assessor role and wish to achieve a teaching qualification.
What is the development of the units and structure which make up the Level 4 Certificate?
This qualification was led by the former Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS). The standards which underpin the qualification are now the responsibility of the Education and Training Foundation.
What are the requirements for the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training?
Elements of the Minimum Core should be selected appropriate to the context and needs of each cohort of trainee teachers. The selected elements should be delivered and assessed across the following mandatory units:
- Planning to meet the needs of learners in education and training Level 4
- Delivering education and training Level 4
- Assessing learners in education and training Level 4
- Using resources for education and training Level 4
What personal skills in English, Maths and ICT are required for the Level 4 Certificate?
All trainee teachers joining this qualification programme should undertake an initial assessment of skills in English, maths, and ICT.
What are the Pre-entry requirements for the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training?
If trainees join the qualification programme having already completed a Level 3 Award in Education and Training, their record of development needs and any previous actions taken to address them should inform opportunities to continue to develop their skills as required by the appropriate minimum core elements.
Opportunities to develop the skills appropriate for the professional role of further education teacher should be made available to all trainee teachers throughout a teacher education programme. Teacher educators should ensure that the personal skills developed by trainees are those most appropriate for their professional role as teachers.
To successfully achieve the qualification learners will be required to complete a minimum teaching practice of 30 hours. Learners need to be qualified, proficient, or experienced in the subject which they intend to teach. It would be expected that learners have sufficient personal skills to complete the academic and other requirements of the programme. They will also need to be able to support their learners at the appropriate level whilst delivering their subject specialism.
Learners need to demonstrate the potential to study at a minimum academic level 4. In addition, all learners/trainee teachers will be required to take an initial assessment of their skills in English, maths, and ICT. It is expected that trainee teachers who do not already hold Level 2 qualifications in maths and English should achieve these prior to the end of their initial teacher training qualification.
For more information, download the Qualification Handbook here: