Regulated Qualification
Study a Focus Awards qualification with an exact Ofqual record and clear unit requirements.
DEVELOP YOUR TEACHING PRACTICE
About the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching
The Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) develops the knowledge, skills and professional practice needed to teach your specialist subject in further education and skills settings. This Focus Awards qualification is often called DiT. Study with HHF through online learning and tutor support while completing substantial teaching practice in a real setting. The Level 5 Diploma in Teaching combines inclusive curriculum planning, assessment, subject pedagogy, digital teaching and reflective practice. The qualification has 120 credits, 400 guided learning hours and 1,200 total qualification time hours. Guided learning is part of the overall study commitment; online study still includes real placement, mentoring and observed teaching. Compare our education and training courses, including the introductory Level 3 AET and intermediate Level 4 CET. AET and CET are standalone awards and are not eligible for accreditation of prior learning into this qualification. Read the official Focus Awards qualification details and speak to HHF about your subject and placement before enrolling.
Who Is the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching For?
This course suits current and aspiring teachers in further education colleges, adult education, independent training providers and vocational learning settings who can access a suitable teaching placement in England.
You may be an experienced industry professional moving into education, a vocational tutor developing your practice, or a trainer taking on a wider teaching role. You need strong knowledge and experience in the subject you intend to teach.
The Level 5 Diploma in Teaching is designed for the further education and skills sector. It is not a school teacher training programme and does not automatically award QTS or QTLS.
You do not need previous teaching experience simply to be considered for entry. However, you must meet the academic entry requirements and have an agreed placement with suitable learners, mentors and observation arrangements. Discuss your circumstances with our course advisers before paying.
What You Will Learn on the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching
Through the course, you will learn how to connect professional knowledge with effective teaching in your specialist subject. You will:
- Explore curriculum development and subject pedagogy, then design relevant learning programmes.
- Identify learner starting points, needs and barriers, and plan inclusive learning opportunities.
- Apply learning theories and teaching approaches to engage and support diverse learners.
- Use assessment, feedback and evidence of progress to improve learning.
- Develop and evaluate resources suited to your subject and learner group.
- Use digital tools and live online teaching approaches appropriately and safely.
- Work with colleagues and mentors while meeting professional, safeguarding and ethical responsibilities.
- Reflect critically on observed teaching and use feedback to develop your practice.
The Level 5 Diploma in Teaching assesses these skills through unit evidence and sustained professional practice. Your work must demonstrate the published learning outcomes and assessment criteria; completing online reading alone does not meet the requirements.
Entry Requirements for the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching
You must be aged 18 or over and have achieved Level 2 qualifications in both English and mathematics before starting. The Focus Awards qualification is available in England.
You should be well qualified or experienced in your chosen teaching subject, with strong literacy, numeracy and technological awareness. Technical and vocational applicants should hold a relevant professional or industry qualification and significant sector experience. Academic subject teachers are generally expected to hold a degree, subject to provider and employer requirements.
You need access to an approved real teaching placement, suitable subject teaching, two teaching locations, mentors and assessed observations. HHF learners are responsible for arranging their placement; discuss its suitability and evidence requirements with HHF before enrolment.
Relevant safeguarding and suitability checks must be completed for your setting. These may include an enhanced DBS check where required. HHF and the placement provider will confirm the checks and responsibilities that apply.
Tell us about learning needs or access requirements early so reasonable adjustments can be considered. Contact HHF Training to check your qualifications, subject experience and placement arrangements.
Teaching Placement, Observations and Assessment
The Level 5 Diploma in Teaching requires a minimum 250-hour placement, including at least 150 hours of teaching practice. Within those teaching hours, at least 100 hours must be in your specialist subject, with a minimum of 20 hours of live remote delivery and 80 hours of face-to-face delivery. These are components of the teaching requirement, not additional hours to add to it.
You must gain experience in at least two teaching locations. The second placement must be at least 20 hours and should be with a different provider. If that is not possible, it may involve a different subject or venue with the same provider. These 20 hours can be professional practice and do not have to be teaching hours.
Professional practice may include planning, meetings, interviews, assessment meetings, observations and continuing professional development. Maintain an accurate teaching and placement log and agree evidence expectations with your tutor.
There are 10 teaching observations, each lasting at least 45 minutes. In the majority, you should teach a group of at least 10 learners. Up to two observations may involve live remote delivery; one other session may be observed remotely with prompt feedback and discussion. Recorded sessions cannot replace formal observations.
You should have a subject specialist mentor and a pastoral support mentor, alongside your course tutor. The specification recommends 30 minutes per week with each placement mentor. Provider staff may supply pastoral mentoring for a small placement where sufficient additional time is allocated.
Assessment is through a portfolio of evidence demonstrating all unit learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Professional Practice also includes a 30-minute, in-person oral discussion with two people holding a full FE teacher qualification, from the provider and placement. The qualification is graded Pass/Fail.
Written work, observation reports, teaching resources, questioning and reflective evidence contribute to your portfolio. Certification depends on satisfactory assessment and quality assurance. See the government DiT qualification framework for wider context.
Online Learning, Course Duration and Tutor Support
Study the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching online with HHF learning resources, assessment guidance and tutor support, alongside your real teaching placement. Online learning provides flexibility for theory and written work; placement and assessed teaching remain essential.
HHF allows up to 12 months from the date of payment to complete the course. Plan your study, 250 placement hours, 150 teaching hours, second placement, mentoring and observations carefully. Your completion date depends on satisfactory evidence, assessment and quality assurance.
HHF provides ongoing email support, with responses normally within 24 hours, and WhatsApp support during office hours, 9am–6pm Monday–Saturday. One-to-one online support is available where appropriate. Tutors help you understand requirements and prepare evidence; submitted work must be your own.
Set a weekly study schedule, organise evidence by unit and keep your teaching log current. Bring placement or assessment difficulties to your tutor early so arrangements can be reviewed.
Learn more about HHF Training and read our learner FAQs.
Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Fees and Enrolment
The HHF Level 5 Diploma in Teaching course fee is shown in the live course banner. Check your entry qualifications, subject experience and teaching placement with HHF before enrolling.
Your study plan must allow time for online learning, written assignments, portfolio preparation and assessed teaching practice. Learners arrange their own placement. Ask HHF to confirm the observation, mentor and second-placement arrangements that apply to your circumstances.
After successful completion and quality assurance, HHF provides a printed certificate with free UK postage. International delivery involves courier and service/bank charges, which should be confirmed before dispatch.
For questions about the course fee, access period or enrolment arrangements, speak to a course adviser. Review the requirements before making payment so you can undertake the full qualification.
VERIFY YOUR QUALIFICATION
Certification and Qualification Verification
On successful completion of all requirements and quality assurance, you receive the Focus Awards Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) (RQF). The qualification number is 610/5281/4.
The Level 5 Diploma in Teaching has 120 credits, 400 guided learning hours and 1,200 total qualification time hours. Use the awarding body and Ofqual verification links below to check the qualification independently.
The certificate confirms achievement of the qualification. Professional status, employment and entry to further study have separate requirements set by the relevant organisation.
Awarding Organisation: Focus Awards
Qualification Number 610/5281/4
Focus Awards Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) (RQF). Verify the exact qualification on the official Ofqual Register.
SUPPORT YOUR TEACHING JOURNEY
Why Study Your Level 5 Diploma in Teaching with HHF?
HHF combines flexible online learning with tutor guidance and a clear focus on practical teaching evidence. You can organise theory and written work around your responsibilities while developing your skills through an approved placement.
Our aim is to help you understand what each unit requires, connect learning to your specialist subject and use feedback to improve. Course guidance covers portfolio preparation, reflective practice and the steps needed for assessment and certification.
Before joining the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching, talk to HHF about your teaching setting, learners, mentors and observation arrangements. Establishing these early helps you plan a realistic route through the qualification.
Tutor Guidance
Receive guidance with course content, assignment preparation and teaching evidence throughout your study.
Flexible Online Study
Combine online learning with practical teaching and agree a realistic assessment schedule with HHF.
Career Opportunities and Progression after DiT
The Level 5 Diploma in Teaching supports development for roles such as FE lecturer, adult education tutor, vocational teacher and training provider tutor. Recruitment depends on your subject expertise, experience and the employer’s requirements; the qualification does not guarantee a particular role.
You may consider degree-level study or further professional development, subject to the receiving organisation’s entry requirements. Focus Awards identifies degree-level programmes as a progression route.
Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) is a separate professional status with its own eligibility and professional formation requirements. DiT completion does not automatically award QTLS. Check the Education and Training Foundation QTLS guidance before choosing this route.
Please check your intended progression route. If you need the qualification for an employer, university programme or professional status, confirm that organisation’s current requirements before enrolling. These requirements can change.
If you are comparing teaching qualifications, explore our education and training course category or ask HHF for guidance.
GET ANSWERS
Level 5 Diploma in Teaching FAQs
Answers about DiT entry requirements, units, placement hours, observations, online learning, fees and progression.
Yes. The Focus Awards Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) (RQF) is a regulated Level 5 qualification, number 610/5281/4, available in England. It has 120 credits, 400 GLH and 1,200 TQT hours. Use the exact Ofqual verification link above to check its official record.
You must complete five mandatory units worth 90 credits plus at least 30 credits from approved optional units. The number of optional units varies with the agreed combination. HHF will confirm the available approved selection before enrolment; the qualification totals 120 credits.
You need at least 250 placement hours, including 150 teaching hours. Of the teaching hours, at least 100 must be in your specialist subject, with at least 20 hours of live remote delivery and 80 hours face to face. Experience must cover two teaching locations, including a second placement of at least 20 hours. Agree suitability, mentors and observations with HHF before enrolling.
There are 10 observations of at least 45 minutes each. In the majority, you should teach a group of at least 10 learners. Up to two may be live remote delivery; one other session may be observed remotely with prompt feedback. Recordings are not suitable for formal observations, although they may support reflection and learning.
Yes. HHF provides online learning resources, assessment guidance and tutor support for the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching. You must also complete a real placement, face-to-face teaching, mentoring and formal observations. The final Professional Practice assessment includes a 30-minute in-person oral discussion, so the qualification is not completed solely through remote self-study.
You must be 18 or over, have achieved Level 2 English and mathematics before starting, and be well qualified or experienced in your subject. You also need a suitable placement and support arrangements. Focus Awards states that FE teaching qualifications below Level 5, including AET and CET, should not be considered for accreditation of prior learning into this qualification.
The HHF Level 5 Diploma in Teaching course fee is shown in the live course banner. You have up to 12 months from payment to complete it. Your schedule must include study, portfolio preparation, placement, teaching hours, mentoring, observations and assessment. Discuss your plans with HHF before enrolling.
No. The Level 5 Diploma in Teaching is an FE and skills teaching qualification and is not a school teacher training programme. QTLS is a separate professional status requiring current eligibility and professional formation. Check the Education and Training Foundation guidance and your intended employer or progression provider’s requirements before enrolling.