Cert(CPD) Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector
Course Overview
This Level 4 short course aims to introduce you to the fundamental knowledge and skills essential for teaching in the further education and skills sector. If you're looking to start a career teaching in the higher and professional education sectors, this 12-credit course is an ideal choice.Our expert tutors will introduce you to the roles, responsibilities and boundaries of the teacher, and support you as you learn about different approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. You'll explore the core elements of lesson planning and preparing resources, the importance of effective record keeping, and the fundamentals of managing group learning and student behaviour.
Start dates
Please get in touch with The Growth Company directly for start date information. We run this short course at various times throughout the year, subject to demand. Registering your interest helps us gauge the need for additional start dates.
Highlights
- The Growth Company is a well-established partner of the University of Bolton, based in Manchester, focusing on business, early years, and initial teacher training courses.
- We'll support you in taking your initial steps into a career as a professional practitioner in the further education and skills sector.
- As an off-campus student, you'll also have access to the support of the University's dedicated Off-Campus team and resources to help make you truly feel part of the institution.
Key Features
- This stand-alone module focuses on key practical and theoretical issues involved in planning and preparing to teach.
- You'll have access to University e-learning resources, an extensive e-library and the support of University librarians.
- A link tutor provides academic communication between The Growth Company and the University of Bolton academic school so that the experience you receive as an Off-Campus student is equivalent to an On-Campus student.
Entry Requirements
- You should have a Level 3 qualification in a subject relevant to the area you wish to teach, along with relevant up-to-date experience in that specialism.
- If English isn't your first language, you'll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent).
- Please note that this course is subject to the University of Bolton's Fitness to Practise procedure.
- Please visit www.gceducationandskills.ac.uk/higher-education/ to find out more about The Growth Company.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
If you're looking to start a career teaching in the higher and professional education sectors, this Level 4 short course is an ideal choice. It offers an introduction to the fundamental knowledge and skills essential for teaching in the lifelong learning sector.
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
-
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
-
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
-
Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
-
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
-
Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
-
Apply online: The Growth Company Certificate of Continuing Professional Development in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector - 12 April 2024
-
Apply online: The Growth Company Certificate of Continuing Professional Development in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector - 01 November 2024
-
Apply online: The Growth Company Certificate of Continuing Professional Development in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector - 10 January 2025
-
Apply online: The Growth Company Certificate of Continuing Professional Development in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector - 06 June 2025
International Applicants
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Teaching & Assessment
We use various teaching and learning methods, including timetabled classes with your tutor, workshops, and small group and individual practical activities. We'll expect you to study independently and take responsibility for managing your own learning time.
In terms of assessment, we'll expect you to complete a number of short, manageable assignments, including a 20-minute observed micro-teaching session.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 100% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 80% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
