Regulated Qualification
Study a Focus Awards qualification with an exact Ofqual record and clear unit requirements.
YOUR INTRODUCTION TO TEACHING
About the Level 3 Award in Education and Training
The Level 3 Award in Education and Training is an introductory teaching qualification for people entering further education, adult learning, workplace training or independent training. It is often called AET and replaced the former PTLLS qualification.
Subject expertise is only part of effective teaching. This course introduces professional responsibilities, learner needs, inclusive teaching, assessment and reflective practice. You will connect these ideas to a short teaching session and build a foundation for further study.
AET is an introduction to teaching; it does not confer Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or QTLS. Compare our Education and Training courses or ask a course adviser about your intended role.
Preview your Level 3 AET online course
Explore a short learning activity and an illustrative micro-teaching plan before you enrol. Your course includes learning resources, three written assignments, practical teaching evidence and assessor feedback.
Try a sample learning activity: inclusive teaching
You are teaching a workplace skill to a small group. One learner is confident speaking, another prefers written instructions, and a third needs more time to practise. How would you give each learner a fair opportunity to participate?
Consider: explain and demonstrate the task, provide a clear written checklist, allow supported practice, and check each learner’s understanding. Ask learners what support helps them; avoid assuming their needs. Explain why your chosen approaches suit this group and reflect on what you would improve.
This is an introductory example, not an assessed assignment or a model answer.
See an example 25-minute inclusive micro-teaching plan
HHF requirement: teach for 20–25 minutes with at least two audience members in an inclusive learning environment.
Topic: writing a clear workplace email. Learning outcome: by the end, learners can write an email with a useful subject line, clear request and appropriate closing.
- Minutes 0–3: introduce the outcome and ask about learners’ experience.
- Minutes 3–8: demonstrate a short email and explain its three key parts.
- Minutes 8–17: at least two audience members improve a sample email using an accessible checklist and appropriate individual support.
- Minutes 17–22: learners share their choices; use questions to check understanding.
- Minutes 22–25: check the outcome, summarise and gather feedback.
Prepare your session plan, resources, observation evidence, learner feedback and reflection. The course requires at least one hour of micro-teaching involvement, including an observed and assessed teaching session of 20–25 minutes with at least two audience members in an inclusive learning environment. Agree participants and the remaining peer observation and feedback activity with your assessor. A teaching recording alone is not the complete evidence requirement.
Plan your study: usually 4–6 weeks, within six months
Allow 120 Total Qualification Time hours for learning, independent study and assessment. Spread over 4–6 weeks, this is approximately 20–30 hours a week. Your actual pace depends on prior experience, available study time and assessment progress.
- First: review the briefs, plan your study and agree practical arrangements.
- Next: work through the three units and prepare your written and micro-teaching evidence.
- Finally: submit your evidence, use assessor feedback and complete any required improvements.
Complete within six months. After all required evidence is accepted, allow a further 3–5 weeks for quality assurance and certification.
Discuss your practical arrangements with HHF before enrolling if you are unsure.
Who Is This Course For?
This AET course is suitable for people who are new to teaching, people already delivering training and assessors who want an introduction to teaching practice.
Aspiring teachers and trainers:
prepare for adult, vocational or independent learning environments.
Workplace trainers:
develop a structured approach to staff development and internal training.
Tutors and subject specialists:
turn occupational expertise into purposeful learning activities.
Assessors:
broaden your understanding of teaching, feedback and learner support.
What You Will Learn on the Level 3 AET Course
The Level 3 Award in Education and Training develops your understanding of teaching and learning, from planning inclusive sessions to checking learner progress. The micro teaching activity lets you practise these skills by planning and delivering an inclusive session, gathering feedback and reflecting on learner progress.
Explain teaching roles, professional responsibilities, boundaries and relationships.
Recognise individual learner needs and promote equality and inclusion.
Select teaching approaches and resources that encourage participation.
Plan a purposeful session with clear learning objectives.
Create a safe, supportive learning environment and engage learners.
Use assessment methods to check understanding and support progress.
Give constructive feedback and involve learners in assessment.
Deliver a short teaching activity and review its effectiveness.
Use feedback and reflection to identify improvements to your practice.
Level 3 AET Units: Complete 12 Credits Across Three Units
Complete 3 units totalling 12 credits
You will complete the three units shown above: teaching roles and responsibilities, inclusive teaching and learning approaches, and the principles and practices of assessment.
The course carries 12 credits and 120 Total Qualification Time (TQT) hours. The three units delivered by HHF total 60 Guided Learning Hours (GLH). These learning-time figures include guidance and study; they are not a compulsory teaching placement.
The assessment principles unit D/601/5313 may support later assessor study through credit transfer or recognition of prior learning, subject to the receiving qualification rules and evidence checks. See the official Focus Awards qualification details and unit list.
Entry Requirements for the Level 3 Award in Education and Training
Learners should be 19 or over. Focus Awards does not specify other formal entry qualifications; HHF reviews your suitability and support needs before confirming enrolment.
Sufficient English, literacy and numeracy skills to study and complete written work.
Basic ICT skills and access to the internet, learning resources and a device for recording micro-teaching.
Identification and the documentation required for registration.
Access to suitable participants for your teaching activity.
Assessment and Micro-Teaching
HHF assesses this Level 3 Award in Education and Training through three written assignments and a micro-teaching activity. Your portfolio must meet every learning outcome and assessment criterion for the three units.
HHF micro-teaching requirement: deliver 20–25 minutes of teaching to at least two audience members in an inclusive learning environment. Prepare a session plan, clear learning objectives, accessible resources and activities that involve each participant. Check learners’ understanding, gather feedback and reflect on how effectively they achieved the objectives.
The inclusive teaching unit requires at least one hour of involvement in micro-teaching. Your 20–25-minute observed teaching session forms part of this involvement; agree the remaining peer observation and feedback activity with your assessor. Submitting a recording alone does not complete every evidence requirement.
You can complete the teaching and assessment remotely. Arrange an observed session through Microsoft Teams or submit recorded teaching evidence as agreed with your assessor. Confirm the date, participants, inclusive arrangements, observation method and evidence requirements in advance.
If a colleague observes you internally: submit their Level 3 AET certificate, Level 3 Assessor qualification certificate and CV for HHF to review. If the observer does not meet HHF’s requirements, arrange an assessor-led Microsoft Teams observation and have it recorded.
Your practical evidence includes the teaching plan, observation evidence, learner feedback and reflection. Follow the current course guidance for recording and submitting evidence.
Study the resources and review each assignment brief.
Prepare written work and your teaching activity.
Submit assignments and the required practical evidence.
Read assessor feedback and address any gaps before final quality assurance.
Online Learning and Tutor Support
Study the Level 3 Award in Education and Training online around your commitments. HHF provides learning resources, assessment guidance and tutor support so you can organise your reading, assignments and teaching activity within six months. Most learners complete the course in 4–6 weeks, depending on their study time and assessment progress. Quality assurance and certification follow acceptance of all required evidence.
Set a realistic weekly study routine and allow time to act on feedback. Tutors help you understand the briefs, prepare evidence and identify improvements.
HHF provides ongoing email support, with replies typically within 24 hours, and WhatsApp support during office hours, 9am–6pm Monday–Saturday. Use the course communication channels for learning questions and contact the office for registration or access support.
Tell us about additional learning needs before you start so reasonable adjustments can be considered. Find out more about HHF Training and our online learning FAQs.
AET Course Fees and Enrolment
Pay in full or spread the cost with interest-free monthly instalments. Choose your preferred payment option at checkout, where you can review the amount due today and the remaining payment schedule before placing your order.
Check that the course supports your intended role and that you can complete the written work and practical activity within six months. Ask about registration, assessment, certification and any additional charges relevant to your circumstances.
After enrolment, you receive course access and guidance, study the units, submit your evidence and respond to assessment feedback. Certification follows successful assessment and the required quality assurance.
Refund information: HHF advertises a 14-day refund period where course materials have not been accessed and learning has not started. Review the applicable enrolment terms before accessing materials or beginning work, and contact HHF about your eligibility. This information does not affect your statutory rights.
VERIFY YOUR QUALIFICATION
Certification and Recognition
Successful learners achieve the Focus Awards Level 3 Award in Education and Training (RQF), qualification number 601/6099/8. Your portfolio is assessed and quality assured before certification can be requested.
Printed certificates are posted free to UK addresses. For international delivery, HHF’s course information specifies courier charges plus a 15% service and bank transaction fee, payable before dispatch. Confirm the total delivery cost with the team.
Use the awarding organisation and Ofqual links below to check the exact qualification. Acceptance for a particular job or further programme is decided by the receiving organisation.
Awarding Organisation
Qualification Number
601/6099/8
Verify this regulated qualification on the official Ofqual Register.
Progression After the Level 3 Award in Education and Training
The Level 3 Award in Education and Training provides a foundation for developing teaching and training responsibilities. Opportunities depend on your subject expertise, occupational experience and employer requirements.
Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET): develop broader teaching practice when you can meet its teaching and observation requirements.
Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills): explore a fuller professional route with substantial practical requirements.
Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA): add vocational assessment skills when you have the required access to learners and assessment contexts.
Explore AET, PTLLS and your next teaching step
The assessment principles unit D/601/5313 is included in this course. Ask whether it can be recognised towards a later assessor qualification. Transfer is subject to the receiving qualification rules and evidence checks.
Guides to help you choose and prepare
- What jobs can you do with a Level 3 AET qualification? Explore workplace training roles, subject expertise and employer requirements.
- AET microteaching explained Plan an inclusive session, check learning and prepare your evidence.
- Compare AET, CET and Diploma in Teaching routes Understand which qualification suits your experience and access to teaching practice.
- How online assessment and certification work Understand evidence submission, assessment and quality assurance.
Looking for a PTLLS course online? PTLLS is the former introductory teaching qualification; the current qualification offered here is the Level 3 Award in Education and Training. Check acceptance with your intended employer.
Check your progression route: confirm current entry requirements with your employer or receiving provider before enrolling. AET does not guarantee employment, admission or professional status.
SUPPORT YOUR TEACHING JOURNEY
Why Study with HHF Training?
Choose an AET course with clear qualification information, a manageable study period and support while you prepare your evidence. HHF combines flexible online study with tutor guidance and constructive assessment feedback.
Independent learner feedback about HHF Training
Read feedback from learners across HHF qualifications on our public Trustpilot profile. These comments describe their experience with HHF and are not presented as AET-specific results.
“Good 1 to 1 support. Marking is prompt, accurate”
Andrew Sissons — Trustpilot, 21 September 2026 (excerpt)
“The team was very supportive, professional, and helpful throughout.”
Ayesha Alattas — Trustpilot, 15 October 2026 (excerpt)
Read HHF Training learner reviews on Trustpilot
Learn more about HHF Training and read our learner FAQs before enrolling.
Tutor Guidance
Receive guidance with course content, assignment preparation and teaching evidence throughout your study.
Flexible Online Study
Organise learning around work and personal commitments. Complete within six months; most learners finish in 4–6 weeks, depending on their study time and assessment progress.
GET ANSWERS
Level 3 Award in Education and Training FAQs
Answers about AET, PTLLS, Focus Awards recognition, online study, fees and micro-teaching.
This is the Focus Awards Level 3 Award in Education and Training (RQF), qualification number 601/6099/8. It is an Ofqual-regulated introductory teaching qualification. Use the verification link on this page to check the exact record.
HHF uses three written assignments and a micro-teaching activity with supporting evidence. Deliver 20–25 minutes of teaching to at least two audience members in an inclusive learning environment. Prepare a session plan, observation evidence, learner feedback and reflection, and complete the remaining agreed micro-teaching involvement. Your portfolio must meet all learning outcomes and assessment criteria and pass quality assurance before certification.
Yes. HHF delivers the learning online and accepts recorded micro-teaching evidence. You still need to complete written assignments, planning, practical teaching and the supporting evidence specified by your assessor.
AET replaced the former PTLLS qualification as an introduction to teaching and training. It does not confer QTS or QTLS. Check the qualification and professional requirements of your intended employer or progression provider.
Complete the course within 6 months from your course start date. Most learners complete their learning and assessment evidence in 4–6 weeks, depending on their study time and assessment progress. After all required evidence has been accepted, allow a further 3–5 weeks for quality assurance and certification.
You do not need to be an experienced teacher or hold a teaching post. You must be able to organise the participants and practical evidence for your micro-teaching activity. Learners should be at least 19 and have suitable skills for online learning and written assessment.
The Level 3 AET online course fee is £150. This includes online learning resources, tutor support, assessment and certification. Printed certificates are posted free to UK addresses. Confirm any international courier and service charges before enrolling. You can pay in full or choose the available interest-free three-month payment plan at checkout.
You receive online resources, guidance with course content and assessment preparation, and constructive feedback. HHF typically replies to email within 24 hours and provides WhatsApp support during office hours, 9am–6pm Monday–Saturday.