Start date
7 September 2026
Duration
2 years part-time
About the course
Reasons to study
- Learn alongside peers from a wide range of subject backgrounds and age groups, creating opportunities for collaboration and the sharing of diverse perspectives that will enhance your teaching practice.
- 91.3% of our postgraduates are in work and/or further study fifteen months after graduating*
- Develop the essential skills needed to play a full part in teaching and curriculum development.
*HESA Graduate Outcomes 21/22, UK domiciled graduates from the School of Business, Education and Law.
If you're currently teaching or training at a recognised institution in the education and training sector (formerly the post-14 sector) and looking to advance your career, this course could be ideal for you.
Why Choose Lifelong Learning?
- Upon completion, you may be eligible to earn Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status, the recognised professional qualification for Lifelong Learning Sector teachers.
- Develop key skills in teaching and curriculum development, with a focus on your subject area and broader sector knowledge.
- Gain hands-on experience through placements at our partner institutions, where you’ll observe expert teachers, practice teaching, and receive mentorship to become an effective educator.
This course is also available through the Education and Training Consortium.
Course detail
Core modules:
Research Informed Teaching, Learning and Assessment
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.
Becoming a Subject Specialist Teacher
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.
Being a Subject Specialist Teacher
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 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 enabling you to develop critical responses 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.
Option modules:
Curriculum and Context
This module will develop your critical 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 critical 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.
English as an Additional Language (EAL): Curriculum and Context
This module will develop your critical understanding of EAL provision in the lifelong learning sector. You will investigate the policy and practice of education and training for EAL learners and the impact on curriculum practice. The module will investigate ways of working effectively with and supporting the achievement of learners with English as an additional language. You will engage critically with evidence-based research on the EAL curriculum to evaluate – and enact improvements to – professional practice.
SEND: Curriculum and Context
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 investigate ways of working effectively with and supporting the achievement of learners with SEN/D in mainstream and specialist contexts within lifelong learning. You will critically 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 critically evaluate – and enact improvements to – professional practice.
EDI and Social Justice: Curriculum and Context
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 critically analyse the socio-political ideologies that impact upon curriculum design and implementation in the lifelong learning sector. You will engage critically with 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 critically evaluate some of the key philosophical positions in the field of inclusive education and appraise your own values in relation to inclusive and socially just practice.
Core modules:
Research Informed Teaching, Learning and Assessment
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.
Becoming a Subject Specialist Teacher
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.
Being a Subject Specialist Teacher
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 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 critically 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.
Option modules:
Curriculum and Context
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. It aims to engage trainees in critical 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.
English as an Additional Language (EAL): Curriculum and Context
This module will develop your critical understanding of EAL provision in the lifelong learning sector. You will critically analyse the policy and practice of education and training for EAL learners and the impact on curriculum practice. The module will investigate ways of working effectively with and supporting the achievement of learners with English as an additional language. You will engage critically with evidence-based research on the EAL curriculum to evaluate – and enact improvements to – professional practice.
SEND: Curriculum and Context
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 critically analyse 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 critically evaluate – and enact improvements to – professional practice.
EDI and Social Justice: Curriculum and Context
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 critique the socio-political ideologies that impact upon curriculum design and implementation in the lifelong learning sector. You will critically analyse 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 assess some of the key philosophical positions in the field of inclusive education and critically appraise your own values in relation to inclusive and socially just practice.
Core modules:
Research Informed Teaching, Learning and Assessment
This module seeks to develop your critical 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 critically to apply research evidence in designing effective learning and assessment strategies and materials. It aims 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.
Becoming a Subject Specialist Teacher
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 are 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 critically evaluate your teaching effectiveness, develop yourself as a reflective practitioner and 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 for your students.
Being a Subject Specialist Teacher
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 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 critically 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.
Option modules:
Curriculum and Context
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. It aims to engage trainees in critical 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.
English as an Additional Language (EAL): Curriculum and Context
This module will develop your critical understanding of EAL provision in the lifelong learning sector. You will critically analyse the policy and practice of education and training for EAL learners and the impact on curriculum practice. The module will investigate ways of working effectively with and supporting the achievement of learners with English as an additional language. You will engage critically with evidence-based research on the EAL curriculum to evaluate – and enact improvements to – professional practice.
SEND: Curriculum and Context
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 critically analyse 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 critically evaluate – and enact improvements to – professional practice.
EDI and Social Justice: Curriculum and Context
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 critique the socio-political ideologies that impact upon curriculum design and implementation in the lifelong learning sector. You will critically analyse 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 assess some of the key philosophical positions in the field of inclusive education and critically appraise your own values in relation to inclusive and socially just practice.
This course has modules making up 120 credits over the 2* years, with each credit being 10 hours of study (1200 hours in total).
An average of approximately** 55% (492 hours) of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors face to face in lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals and workshops.
The remainder of the time will be spent on independent study. Assessments take place through a variety of exams, coursework, etc.*
*Subject to mode of study.
**Based on current core modules.
Calculated using data from the academic year 2024/25, as of November 2024.
Further information
The focus of this course is on practical teaching. You’ll have the opportunity to gain experience of learning and teaching alongside other professionals with support from tutors and work-based mentors. You’ll be supported to develop the necessary skills to become an outstanding teacher.
You’ll be taught through a wide range of teaching and learning methods and you’ll have a personal tutor who’ll be assigned to you throughout your studies to support your ongoing development.
There’s a wide range of assessment activity including the creation of resources to support learning, seminars, lectures and presentations.
Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.
Huddersfield is the UK’s only university where 100% of the permanent teaching staff are fellows of the Higher Education Academy*.
*permanent staff, after probation: some recently appointed colleagues will only obtain recognition in the months after their arrival in Huddersfield, once they have started teaching.
The teaching year for most courses normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Teaching on other courses including professional courses, postgraduate taught, research, distance learning and apprenticeship may have other start dates including January and May. All start dates can be found on each course page and term dates are also available. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.
Our courses are taught at our University campus and you can expect that your lectures and seminars will be held face to face, except in cases of emergency or if specifically stated otherwise in the module description.
Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.
You may progress to the next stage of your course or research degree, subject to meeting University assessment criteria and professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.
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Triple proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
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We are joint first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 23 since 2008 (2024 data).
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We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).
Read more about academic staff at the University of Huddersfield
Entry requirements
You should normally be in employment as a teacher or trainer at a recognised training or educational establishment for a minimum of 250 hours (at least 125 hours in any one year). Voluntary teaching/training may be acceptable in some circumstances (please check with your local centre).
- UK first degree (normally 2:2 or above) or equivalent related to your specialist area
- At least a Level 3 or equivalent related to your specialist area
- Level 2 Maths and English
- Relevant work experience in some specialist subject areas
In addition you must also:
- provide confirmation of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- provide one satisfactory reference
- complete a satisfactory interview
- identify a work-based mentor who can support you in your subject specialism
If you already hold a teaching qualification at level 4 or above or have substantial knowledge and experience of teaching you may be able to make a claim for accreditation of prior learning.
The course is particularly suitable if you have work experience and/or qualifications in industry, including business and administration, hair and beauty, health and social care, public services or construction, engineering and many other vocational areas.
We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups.
If you study at the university centre, you’ll normally be offered a place on the Postgraduate Certificate in Education or the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Advanced PGCE in Lifelong Learning).
Alternatively, you may be considered for a place on the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education.
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.
Facilities
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. Find out more about all our support services.
Research excellence
Research plays an important role in informing all our teaching and learning activities. Through research our staff remain up to date with the latest developments in their field, which means they can help you to develop knowledge and skills that are current and highly relevant.
Important information
Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons
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 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 leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment, or pandemics.
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 carry out suitable consultation. 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 contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.
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.