Age 16-18
Everything you need to apply
Whether you are ready to apply or still deciding, this page shows you what to do next.
You can find out how to apply, what you need and how to prepare for your interview. You can also see our upcoming events, where you can meet our tutors and ask questions. If you have a learning difficulty, a health condition or a disability, or you are a parent or carer, we can talk to you about the support you need. If you are not sure about anything, our team is happy to help.
How to apply
- Choose your course on our ways to train page.
- Check the entry requirements and how you will pay.
- Apply online through the course page.
- Attend an interview and initial assessment.
- Enrol before your course starts.
Applying for a Level 5 or Level 7 course
Most students pay for our Education (Level 5 Certificate) and our Postgraduate Certificate in Education: Post-Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) with a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England, sometimes called an HE loan.
Apply for your loan at the same time as you apply for your course, as it can take several weeks. You can apply for your loan before you have a confirmed place with us.
Even if you have had a student loan before, you can usually still get one for a further education teaching qualification.
You also need a current enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for these courses.
Tips for your interview
In your interview, tell us:
- why you want to work in education
- any experience you have with children, young people or adults, including volunteering
- the subject or age group you would like to work with
You do not need teaching experience for every course. If you are not sure you have enough experience, talk to us before you apply.
Extra support while you train
We support students with learning difficulties, health conditions and disabilities, and students who are parents or carers. Tell us what you need when you apply and we will talk to you about the right support.
For employers
Your staff can help build the skills pipeline for your industry by training others at New City College part time, alongside their current role. Learners get trainers with up-to-date industry experience, and your staff bring new skills back to your business, such as communication, public speaking, leadership and mentoring.
If you would like to support your staff to train others, talk to our New City for Business team.
Staff interview
From support worker to teacher
Dane Howard-Stone joined New City College as a support worker. He found a passion for teaching while running a social skills group, then took his Level 3 and Level 5 teaching qualifications. He is now a SEND tutor and job coach.
Read Dane's interview"Since I joined as a support worker, the college has helped me develop my career to becoming a teacher"
Frequently asked questions
Starting as a Teaching Assistant
You do not have to start at Level 1. Our Preparing to Work in Schools (Level 1 Award) is for people with no experience of working in a school. If you already work in a school, even as a midday assistant, you can start with the Supporting Teaching and Learning (Level 2 Certificate).
Working in a nursery
To work in a nursery, start with our Caring for Children (Level 1 Diploma) or Early Years Practitioner (Level 2 Diploma). You can then move up to the Early Years Educator (Level 3 Diploma).
Evening and part-time courses
Many of our education courses run part time, and some run in the evening so you can keep working. For example, the Education and Training (Level 3 Award) runs one morning or one evening a week, and the Education (Level 5 Certificate) runs one evening a week. We do not run weekend courses at the moment. Check each course page for days and times.
If you do not have GCSE maths or English
Most teacher training courses need GCSE English and maths at grade 4 (C) or above. If you do not have them yet, you can study English and maths with us first.
Teaching in further education or in a school
Our Level 5 Certificate and our Postgraduate Certificate in Education: Post-Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) train you to teach in further education. To teach in a primary or secondary school, you usually need a degree and qualified teacher status (QTS). For subjects like PE, your degree usually needs to be in a related subject. Our advisers can explain which route suits your plans.
Teaching A levels
Further education is one way to become an A level teacher, as some colleges, including New City College, teach A levels.
Qualified teacher status and further education
Further education teaching qualifications, like our PCET, do not give you QTS. Once you are qualified and teaching in further education, you can apply for qualified teacher learning and skills (QTLS) status through the Society for Education and Training. In England, QTLS lets you work as a qualified teacher in schools too.
What you study on the PCET
You learn how to plan a curriculum, teach in an inclusive way and assess learning, for students aged 14 and over and adults. You also reflect on your own teaching and put what you learn into practice on a teaching placement.
Teaching experience before the PCET
You do not need to be teaching already. Our PCET is a pre-service course, and you get teaching experience through a placement as part of it.
Paying for the PCET
Most students pay with a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England. If you want to teach a priority subject, such as maths, science, computing or engineering, you may also be able to get a tax-free bursary that you do not pay back.
Teaching with a master's degree
A master's degree shows your subject knowledge, but colleges usually also expect you to have a teaching qualification or be working towards one. With a degree, you can apply for our PCET.
If you have qualifications from outside the UK
You may be able to use your degree to apply for our PCET. You can find out how your qualifications compare with UK qualifications through UK ENIC, the national agency for this. Talk to us and we will check your qualifications.
