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Lifelong Learning Cert Ed pre-service

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Start Dates

21 September 2026

Duration

1 year full-time 2 years part-time

Recent Awards For Excellence

Education - QS 2025
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About this course

Overview

Why choose Huddersfield for this course?

  • Work towards QTLS status. On completion, you can progress to Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) – the professional status for the sector.
  • Specialise in your subject. Train to teach in your chosen area while developing the skills to contribute to curriculum design and delivery.
  • Learn in real classrooms. Gain practical experience through placements in our partner institutions, supported by one-to-one mentoring.

Accreditation and Professional Links

Recognised connections to give you an extra edge when you graduate. Read More

If you’re hoping to go into teaching within sixth forms or further education colleges, or you see yourself taking up a career in adult education or informal education roles, then this course could be ideal. It’s focused on training to teach within the lifelong learning (post 14) sector comprising of offender learning, further education, adult education, training organisations and adult community learning to name just a few. You don’t need previous teaching experience, just an industry skill, an appropriate entry qualification and a passion for teaching and training others.

The top five job titles advertised in the UK for graduate roles associated with Lifelong Learning Cert Ed pre-service are Sports Coaches, Lecturers, Teaching Fellows, Skills Coaches and Graduate Teachers.*

*Lightcast data extracted from Graduate Career Explorer – job postings from Dec 2023 to Nov 2024 showing jobs advertised associated with a selection of relevant graduate.

Why Lifelong Learning?

  • Upon successful completion of this course, you’ll be eligible to proceed to gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status, following a process of professional formation through the Society for Education and Training. Your QTLS is the full professional status for teachers in the Lifelong Learning sector.
  • During the course you’ll have the opportunity to develop the skills to play a full part in teaching and curriculum development. While you study you’ll focus on your particular subject specialist area, alongside general teaching in the lifelong learning sector.
  • We know there’s no substitute for the classroom environment, so we’ll give you the opportunity to go on placement with one of our partnership institutions. On your placement you’ll be able to observe experienced teachers, gain practical hands-on experience and benefit from one-to-one mentoring to help develop the skills you’ll need to become an outstanding and effective teacher.
  • During your time at Huddersfield you’ll be able to access our extensive professional and academic network, not to mention our excellent facilities and specialist equipment.

Please note: This course is available at the University of Huddersfield and through the Education and Training Consortium. If you hold a first degree or equivalent then please refer to our postgraduate level provision.

Career opportunities after the course *

Sports Coaches

Design Technology Teachers

Technology Teachers

Teachers of Design Technology

Teaching Fellows

*Lightcast

Who can apply?

Entry Requirements

No prior teaching experience is needed. The course is particularly suitable if you have work experience in industry, business and administration, hair and beauty, social work, health service, uniformed services or armed forces.

In addition to the University’s general minimum entry requirements you must also:

  • have either a HNC, CGLI Advanced, NVQ level 3/4 or recognised professional qualification
  • be able to demonstrate appropriate work experience in the area you wish to teach
  • have Level 2 Maths and English

In addition you must also:

  • provide an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and health clearances
  • provide two satisfactory references
  • complete a satisfactory interview

We also offer this course at professional graduate (honours) and postgraduate (masters) if you hold a degree (or recognised equivalent). If you already have a degree (2:2 or above), you may be eligible for our Lifelong Learning PGCE Pre-Service

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

What will you learn?

Course Details

This module aims to develop your understanding of how people learn in the Lifelong Learning Sector and of the role of assessment in enabling learning and achievement. It introduces theories and principles of learning and assessment and develops your ability to apply research evidence in designing effective learning and assessment strategies and materials. It seeks to develop positive approaches to the management of group and individual behaviours and promotes an inclusive approach to teaching, learning and assessment. It introduces the role of key transferable skills and the ways in which people learn English, Maths and digital skills. The module is assessed by means of a practical micro-teaching assignment and the design of an intervention, strategy, activity or resource, underpinned by an understanding of key principles of teaching, learning and assessment.

The module reviews your practice as a trainee teacher. It explores your teaching values, knowledge of your subject specialism, and your knowledge and understanding of how you're learning to teach. You'll have the opportunity to learn how to identify and respond to students’ needs, and how to use suitable teaching, learning and assessment strategies to develop inclusive teaching and learning environments. You'll have the chance to evaluate your teaching effectiveness and develop as a reflective practitioner as well as engage in personal and professional development planning, against the appropriate Professional Standards, to recognise and develop relevant subject specialist knowledge, behaviours and skills. This will include further development of English, Maths and digital skills for you and your students.

This module builds on previous generic and subject specialist development in two ways. Firstly, it contributes to your development of more advanced strategies and methods for promoting learning and, secondly, it involves a focus on specific specialist areas and the critical analysis of subject specialist pedagogy. The module seeks to enhance your ability to reflect critically on, and to evaluate, teaching and learning; by recognising particular curriculum and professional challenges; and by developing your ability to respond to these concerns in sophisticated, innovative and creative ways. Key learning activities of the module are practical teaching experience and the engagement with other specialists through collaborative practice. The module is assessed through a Teaching Portfolio and a Conference Paper dealing with teaching and learning in the specialist subject.

You will also choose 1 optional module in this year. The current optional modules are:

This module will develop your critical understanding of policy and issues relating to curriculum development in lifelong learning. You will investigate the impact of policy on curriculum development and draw on appropriate evidence to interrogate curriculum practice and discuss possible improvements. The module will cover the internal and external factors that drive curriculum change and consider key contemporary issues in lifelong learning that impact upon curriculum development and design.

This module will develop your understanding of provision for learners with English as an additional language (EAL) in the lifelong learning sector. You will explore the policy and practice of education and training for EAL learners and the impact on curriculum practice. The module will explore ways of working effectively with and supporting the achievement of learners with English as an additional language. You will engage with evidence-based research on the EAL curriculum to evaluate – and enact improvements to – professional practice.

This module will develop your understanding of special educational provision in the lifelong learning sector and disability equality in the lifelong learning curriculum. You will explore ways of working effectively with and supporting the achievement of learners with SEN/D in mainstream and specialist contexts within lifelong learning. You will examine education reform and UK policy on post-16 SEN/D provision along with the ways in which national, local and organisational policy influence the SEN/D curriculum. You will draw on appropriate evidence to evaluate – and enact improvements to – professional practice.

This module explores the ways in which lifelong learning can address inequity and disadvantage. It introduces some key conceptual frameworks for understanding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and social justice within a lifelong learning context. You will explore the sociopolitical ideologies that impact upon curriculum design and implementation in the lifelong learning sector. You will consider the sectorial expectations around inclusion, equality and participation that guide the work of the lifelong learning practitioner and the ways in which lifelong learning can extend opportunities for students from a range of backgrounds. You will explore some of the key philosophical positions in the field of inclusive education and consider your own values in relation to inclusive and socially just practice.

For more information on when and how we update our modules please see the ‘Legal Information’ section below.

This module aims to develop your understanding of how people learn in the Lifelong Learning Sector and of the role of assessment in enabling learning and achievement. It introduces theories and principles of learning and assessment and develops your ability to apply research evidence in designing effective learning and assessment strategies and materials. It seeks to develop positive approaches to the management of group and individual behaviours and promotes an inclusive approach to teaching, learning and assessment. It introduces the role of key transferable skills and the ways in which people learn English, Maths and digital skills. The module is assessed by means of a practical micro-teaching assignment and the design of an intervention, strategy, activity or resource, underpinned by an understanding of key principles of teaching, learning and assessment.

The module reviews your practice as a trainee teacher. It explores your teaching values, knowledge of your subject specialism, and your knowledge and understanding of how you're learning to teach. You'll have the opportunity to learn how to identify and respond to students’ needs, and how to use suitable teaching, learning and assessment strategies to develop inclusive teaching and learning environments. You'll have the chance to evaluate your teaching effectiveness and develop as a reflective practitioner as well as engage in personal and professional development planning, against the appropriate Professional Standards, to recognise and develop relevant subject specialist knowledge, behaviours and skills. This will include further development of English, Maths and digital skills for you and your students.

This module builds on previous generic and subject specialist development in two ways. Firstly, it contributes to your development of more advanced strategies and methods for promoting learning and, secondly, it involves a focus on specific specialist areas and the critical analysis of subject specialist pedagogy. The module seeks to enhance your ability to reflect critically on, and to evaluate, teaching and learning; by recognising particular curriculum and professional challenges; and by developing your ability to respond to these concerns in sophisticated, innovative and creative ways. Key learning activities of the module are practical teaching experience and the engagement with other specialists through collaborative practice. The module is assessed through a Teaching Portfolio and a Conference Paper dealing with teaching and learning in the specialist subject.

You will also choose 1 optional module in this year. The current optional modules are:

This module will develop your understanding of policy and issues relating to curriculum development in lifelong learning. You will explore the impact of policy on curriculum development and draw on appropriate evidence to evaluate curriculum practice and discuss possible improvements. The module will cover the internal and external factors that drive curriculum change and consider key contemporary issues in lifelong learning that impact upon curriculum development and design. It aims to engage trainees in reflection on the policy and practice of education and training for lifelong learners. The module promotes an analytical and reflexive understanding of the factors that inform curriculum development and delivery in lifelong learning provision.

This module will develop your understanding of provision for learners with English as an additional language (EAL) in the lifelong learning sector. You will explore the policy and practice of education and training for EAL learners and the impact on curriculum practice. The module will explore ways of working effectively with and supporting the achievement of learners with English as an additional language. You will engage with evidence-based research on the EAL curriculum to evaluate – and enact improvements to – professional practice.

This module will develop your understanding of special educational provision in the lifelong learning sector and disability equality in the lifelong learning curriculum. You will explore ways of working effectively with and supporting the achievement of learners with SEN/D in mainstream and specialist contexts within lifelong learning. You will examine education reform and UK policy on post-16 SEN/D provision along with the ways in which national, local and organisational policy influence the SEN/D curriculum. You will draw on appropriate evidence to evaluate – and enact improvements to – professional practice.

This module explores the ways in which lifelong learning can address inequity and disadvantage. It introduces some key conceptual frameworks for understanding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and social justice within a lifelong learning context. You will explore the sociopolitical ideologies that impact upon curriculum design and implementation in the lifelong learning sector. You will consider the sectorial expectations around inclusion, equality and participation that guide the work of the lifelong learning practitioner and the ways in which lifelong learning can extend opportunities for students from a range of backgrounds. You will explore some of the key philosophical positions in the field of inclusive education and consider your own values in relation to inclusive and socially just practice.

For more information on when and how we update our modules please see the ‘Legal Information’ section below.

Teaching and Assessment

Discover what to expect from your tutor contact time, assessment methods, and feedback process.

Read more

Global Professional Award

At Huddersfield, you’ll study the award-winning Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* — so you’re ready for the career you want, whatever subject you choose.

Read more
Interested in a placement?

Placements

During your time on the course, you will be required to complete at least 250 hours of placement, including 150 hours of teaching, across various educational settings.

Our network of placement settings includes colleges, work-based learning providers, and offender and community learning settings, providing you with diverse teaching experiences.

We will endeavour to place you in a location convenient to you, although some placements may be located further from your point of study. Please be aware of potential travel costs associated with your placement.

Additionally, your dedicated course tutors will work closely with placement mentors to provide guidance and support throughout your experience, ensuring you gain maximum benefit from your placements.

The tutors have given full support and guidance throughout the course. They are very understanding of the fact that we have lives outside the course and are empathetic if additional support is needed.

- Joel Proger
Currently studying Lifelong Learning CertED, Trainee Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering.

Where could this lead you?

Your Career

Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles such as Further Education Teacher, Community Education Officer, Learning Mentor, Education Consultant, Family Support Worker and Education Mental Health Practitioner.*

*Source: Prospects

86.5%
of undergraduate graduates from the School of Business, Education and Law in work or further study within fifteen months of graduating

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 21/22, UK domiciled graduates, other activities excluded.

If you’ve ever been interested in teaching, this course supports you in every aspect. It introduces you to the theory behind different teaching methods such as pedagogy while helping you improve your own delivery as you work. Teaching is such a rewarding career whether you’re teaching children, young adults or older adults and being able to help learners achieve and surpass their goals is amazing.
Read More

- Dawn Furner
Community Teacher in ICT and Digital Skills.

How much will it cost?

Fees and Finance

Full-time: £9,535 per year
Part-time: £4,768 per year

This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27, both on-campus and distance learning.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy.

From January 2027 the UK government is launching a new student funding system for people starting university education. Read more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/study/fees/

£17,600 per year

This information is for international students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required to enable you to undertake placements in settings with children. We arrange this as part of the application process. Please note that there may be a charge for the DBS check.

Attendance and participation in the Subject Specialist Conference delivered at the University of Huddersfield is compulsory. If you are studying at one of our Consortium Centres, then you will be required to cover the cost of travel to complete this module.

Scholarships and Bursaries

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Tuition Fee Loans

Find out more about tuition fee loans available to eligible undergraduate students.

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What’s included in your fee?

We want you to understand exactly what your fees will cover and what additional costs you may need to budget for when you decide to become a student with us.

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If you have any questions about Fees and Finance, please email the Student Finance Team.

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What does the univsersity offer?

Gallery

Take a look at the Charles Sikes and Richard Steinitz Buildings, where your lectures and seminars will take place.

Charles Sikes building from above, on a sunny day with staff and students walking on the attached bridge

Charles Sikes Building Exterior

Huddersfield Business School students in lecture

Dimond Jubilee Lecture Theatre in the Charles Sike

Richard Steinitz building in the sunlight with staff and students sat infront

Richard Steinitz Building Exterior

Students walking inside the Charles Sikes building

The Street in the Charles Sikes Building

Two teachers having a discussion

Seminar room

Students speaking across a table

Breakout space on The Street in the Charles Sikes

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What does it mean to be a Huddersfield teacher?

In this video, Mason, Robbie and Jemma who have all graduated from the University of Huddersfield— share what they’ve learned, the values they’ve developed, and the impact they’re already making in the classroom. If you're thinking about a career in education, this is a powerful insight into the kind of teacher you could become — and the difference you could make by studying with us.

Undergradute Open Days

Visit our Undergraduate Open Day to explore our courses, tour the campus, and meet academics and students who can answer your questions.

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Lifelong Learning: From Motor Vehicle Technician t

In this blog, Dawn shares her inspiring journey from working as a Motor Vehicle Technician to becoming a Community Teacher in ICT and Digital Skills.

Find Out More

Lifelong Learning: From Engineering to Teaching CN

In this blog, Joel shares his inspiring journey from a career in precision engineering to training the next generation as a Trainee Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering.

Read More

Ready to guide learners of all ages?

Lifelong Learning is a dynamic and essential part of the UK’s education and skills sector. It focuses on teaching and training learners aged 16 and over in a wide range of settings - including sixth form and further education colleges, adult and community learning, offender education, and workplace training.

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Why Hud

Explore the unique opportunities and resources that make our institution a top choice for students seeking a well-rounded and future-focused education.

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Explore Huddersfield

Make Huddersfield your home. A Yorkshire town, surrounded by beautiful countryside, with easy access to neighbouring cities; Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield. You’ll find plenty of places to eat, drink, shop and socialise, there’s ambitious plans for future development. Our campus is situated next to the town centre - making your commute a breeze.

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Your Student Experience

Get involved in great opportunities helping you to make friends from all across the world and create lifelong memories. Join one of over 100 societies with the Students’ Union, experience new cultures through global events, earn whilst you learn and build your skills via our Global Professional Award.

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Budget Friendly

Huddersfield is not only one of the friendliest towns, it also offers you a lower cost of living than most big cities. This means you could have more money to spend, making your uni experience even better. On campus you’ll also find plenty of facilities and services to help you budget and make your money go further.

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Sustainability Matters

We’re committed to sustainability and aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. Our plan includes reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and improving wellbeing through sustainable buildings. We’re investing in digital solutions, low-impact travel, and embedding sustainability into teaching and research, investing over £1m in carbon reduction.

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Committed to Your Future

Since 2015, we’ve invested £198 million to create spaces where you can learn, collaborate and thrive. We’re continuously investing in our campus with your wellbeing in mind—adding features that make our buildings healthier, more supportive and better places for you to succeed.

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Careers support

We know you’re coming to university to study on your chosen subject, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

Find out more about careers support

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you’ll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you’ll soon discover that you’re never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey.

See our support services

Teaching Excellence

Great teaching is engaging and inspiring — it helps you reach your full potential and prepares you for the future. We don’t just teach well — we excel — and we have the awards and recognition to prove it.

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Inspiring Academics

Our researchers carry out world-leading work that makes a real difference to people’s lives. Staff within the School of Education may teach you on this course.

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Research Excellence

You’ll be taught by staff who want to support your learning and share the latest knowledge and research.

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Accommodation

Looking for student accommodation? Huddersfield has you covered. HudLets has a variety of accommodation types to choose from, no matter what your preference. HudLets is the University’s approved accommodation service, run by Huddersfield Students’ Union.

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Further Study

If you want to continue your learning beyond your undergraduate degree, there is a range of financial support available for postgraduate study, including discounts for Huddersfield graduates.

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Legal information

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons:

Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment. We may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and if you are unhappy with the change we will discuss with you other suitable courses we can transfer your application to. If you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. We will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to non-optional modules on a course if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that substantially changes the outcomes, or a significant part of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum. For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators or a commissioning or accrediting body. We may also make changes to improve the course in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback or to ensure you are being taught current best practice. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff being unable to teach due to illness, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to pandemics, other disasters (such as fire, flood or war) or changes made by the government.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but may happen sooner in an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will consult with affected groups of students and any changes would only be made in accordance with our regulations. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you let us know before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for any additional tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so and you may be eligible for an exit award depending on how far through your course you are.

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed in accordance with the student protection plan.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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