Choosing the right FE subject to teach
Thinking about becoming an FE teacher, but not sure which subject you’d teach?
Further Education colleges offer an incredibly diverse range of courses for mature students and young adults, including academic, vocational, technical, and creative subjects.
Most people choose to teach a subject that they are passionate about and already have knowledge and skills in. Depending on the subject you choose, you may not need qualifications to land your first job. Real-world industry experience is highly valued in FE, and some employers offer the chance to train on the job.
On this page, we’ll explore the wide variety of subjects taught at further education colleges and the qualifications you need to teach them.
Discover the courses you could teach in FE
Teach vocational subjects in FE
Vocational and technical subjects are core areas within further education. These are career-focused, hands-on courses that prepare students to work in high-demand industries like construction, IT, and accounting. Depending on the subject, often you don’t need a degree or professional qualifications to teach vocational subjects in FE. Instead, practical trade skills and knowledge gained on the job can be more valuable. Vocational subjects include:
- Construction, planning, and the built environment
- Engineering and manufacturing
- Digital and IT (including computing)
- Health, life sciences, and social care
- Legal, finance, and accounting
- Hair and beauty
- Agriculture, environment, and animal care
- Sales, marketing, and procurement
Teach academic subjects in FE
Further education colleges provide mature students and young adults with access to academic courses at GCSE, A-level, and Access to Higher Education level. Many students take these courses to help them gain access to university or higher-level courses. If you want to teach academic subjects in FE, you usually need a degree in your chosen subject (or a closely related field) alongside a teaching post-16 qualification, like a PGCE or a Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training. Popular academic subjects include:
- English (language and literature)
- Maths
- Science (biology, chemistry, physics)
- Social sciences (psychology, sociology, criminology)
- Humanities (history, geography, religious education)
- Modern foreign languages
Teach creative arts and specialist skills in FE
Students who aspire to work in a creative industry often go to college to develop their talent and learn the skills they need to break into their chosen field.
If you have experience in a creative field, teaching creative subjects in FE allows you to share your expertise and inspire the next generation. Colleges value teachers who have practical industry experience and a qualification in their specialist subject. Popular creative subjects include:
- Art and design
- Graphic design
- Photography
- Media studies
- Film and TV production
- Performing arts
- Music technology
- Fashion and textiles
There is also high demand for FE teachers in specialist support roles like:
- SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
- ESOL (Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages)
- Basic Skills (helping adults improve their literacy and numeracy)
These specialist roles play a vital part in helping many students to access employment and further education.
Subjects in high demand
Some subject areas in Further Education are facing significant teacher shortages. If you have experience in any of these fields, you could be eligible for a tax-free government bursary of up to £31,000 to support you financially while you train. High demand subjects include:
- Building and construction
- Computing and digital skills
- Engineering and manufacturing
- Early years education
- Maths, English, and science (biology, physics, and chemistry)
It’s a good idea to check the requirements to teach in FE for these subjects first. If you have the right experience and are eligible for a bursary, this can make retraining much more financially accessible.
Qualifications and requirements to teach in FE
The qualifications you need to become an FE teacher depend on which subject you want to teach. For many vocational and creative subjects, real-world industry experience is more important than a degree.
If you have excellent industry experience, some FE employers will even allow you to complete accredited FE teacher training on the job, so you can earn while you learn.
Common qualifications required to teach in FE include:
- Level 3 Award in FE Teacher Training: An introductory qualification for those who are completely new to teaching.
- Level 4 Certificate in FE Teacher Training: The next step, for those who are already delivering some teaching or training.
- Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET): Once completed, you’ll be a fully qualified teacher.
- PGCE for further education teachers: Suitable for people with a degree or substantial industry experience who want to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Ready to start a new career in FE teaching?
Find your perfect FE teaching job
Check your FE teacher training eligibility
There are many different FE teacher training options available to help you kickstart your career in FE teaching. From teaching apprenticeships to PGCEs, it’s important to find the option that best fits your background and experience level.