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Education (Teaching Professions)

Course Code: TEAONL, TEAX
  • Level: 3
  • Qualification: Access, Diploma
  • Awarding body: Cambridge Access Validating Agency (CAVA)
  • Duration: One year
  • Course type: Distance learning, Express
  • Time of day: Daytime, Flexible
  • When you'll study: Two days a week
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What's it all about?

Have you always dreamed of becoming a teacher? This course offers a fantastic opportunity to train for a rewarding career in education. It is ideal for anyone interested in progressing into pathways such as:

  • primary or secondary teaching
  • early years education
  • classroom support
  • education studies
  • childhood studies
  • subject-based degrees (eg English, social sciences, history).

This course will help you develop the academic skills, confidence and subject knowledge needed to progress to higher education. You will study alongside other mature students, supported by experienced and encouraging lecturers who understand the needs of adults returning to education.

Throughout the programme, you will also explore different routes into teaching and related careers, enabling you to make informed decisions about your next steps.

Access to Higher Education courses are designed for students aged 19 or over. If you are aged 18 or under, this course may not be suitable for you. Please contact us on info@cityplym.ac.uk or 01752 305300 if you would like any help discussing alternative options.

Course information

This course provides a broad grounding in education, social sciences and humanities, while developing the academic skills needed for higher education and related careers.

You will begin by building strong academic foundations through core study skills units, where you will learn how to research and reference sources, present ideas clearly, and reflect on your progress. Alongside this, you will develop effective digital skills, explore university and Apprenticeship pathways, and learn how to plan and manage your own learning with confidence.

These skills are then applied within subject units, which develop your understanding of society, politics and how evidence is used to explain events and behaviour. Supporting this learning, English units strengthen your reading, writing and analytical abilities, preparing you for essay-based study at higher levels.

As your knowledge grows, education-focused units introduce key themes such as inclusion, diversity and classroom practice, helping you explore a range of roles within teaching and educational support. The course culminates in an extended writing project, where you will bring together your academic skills and subject knowledge through an independent, education-related research project designed to prepare you for higher-level study.

In order to be successful on this course, you’ll need to:

  • be committed to your studies and focused on your career and progression goals
  • be aged 19+ (if you’re 18 or under, we recommend exploring A Levels or vocational courses that support progression to further or higher education and employment)
  • hold GCSE English and maths at grade 4 (C) or above, or a Level 2 literacy and numeracy qualification

Depending on your chosen career or university progression route, you may also need a GCSE in science. You should always check the entry requirements of your preferred university or Apprenticeship provider to ensure this course meets their criteria. Please note that the College course title indicates a suggested progression route only.

Your offer of a place may be conditional on factors such as GCSE achievement and interview performance. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact us on 01752 305300 to discuss your options.

If you do not currently hold these qualifications, please contact us to discuss suitable options. You may be able to study GCSE English, maths and/or science alongside this course.

Distance learning

To study via distance learning, you must already hold GCSE English and maths at grade 4 (C) or above.

International applicants

This course is not suitable for international applicants due to the express delivery model.

Placements, voluntary work and paid employment

You should check with your preferred university or Apprenticeship provider to see whether classroom experience is required before applying for your next course.

If experience is required, you will need to organise your own placement and obtain a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate. While a lack of work experience will not prevent you from completing the Access course, it may impact your university application.

The Access to HE Diploma is only available to students who are resident in the UK (including BFPO), Channel Islands or Isle of Man. It is not available to international students studying overseas. 

You will be assessed through a combination of written assignments, including essays, reports and reflective pieces, as well as presentations and research tasks. Some units may also include timed or in-class assessments to help you develop your exam skills.

You will receive regular feedback from your tutors, helping you understand what you are doing well and where you can improve. All graded work contributes towards your final Access to HE Diploma profile.

On successful completion, you could progress to degree-level study across a range of subjects, including Primary Education, Secondary Education, Early Childhood Studies, Education Studies, Special Educational Needs, and related social science disciplines. These pathways can lead to teacher training or other professional roles within education.

If university isn’t the right route for you, you could also progress to higher-level or degree Apprenticeships, or move into employment within a relevant field, including roles such as teaching assistants or learning support workers.

Please note fees are quoted for one year only.

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