Find PTLLS Courses

What is PTLLS?

PTLLS stands for Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector and is the first step for those wishing to become a qualified educator. Obtaining a PTLLS qualification or the equivalent is required of all teachers to be able to teach in Level 3,  post-compulsory education (students over the age of 16). The PTLLS is ideal for anyone interested in becoming a teacher or for teachers in the United Kingdom who require certification or qualification. A PTLLS course will help you get into teaching, improve your skills, or progress on to further study. In a PTLLS course, students will cover: 

• An introduction to teaching
• Understanding roles and responsibilities
• Identifying individual needs
• Adapting different teaching and learning approaches
• Obtain skills in the planning, delivering, observing, and assessing teaching.
• Student motivation
• Record-keeping procedures
• Quality assurance

What is the difference between PTLLS levels 3 and 4?

The two levels of certifications simply refer to whether they cover the fundamentals of teaching (level 3) or dive deeper into the roles and responsibilities of teacher (level 4).

• Level 3 Award in Education and Training is an introduction level course to teaching which will give an overview of the roles, responsibilities and relationships within the teaching profession as well as the tools needed to build and deliver teaching sessions.
• Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training will explore the roles and responsibilities of teachers in more depth than the Level 3 award qualification. It will explore how to plan and deliver teaching sessions that take into consideration legislation, diversity, equality and inclusivity.

Please see the list of PTLLS courses below and read the course description to ensure that it best fits your requirements. Additionally, you can request more information to speak to the course provider directly about which course is right for you.

What is PTLLS now called?

While it still covers the same topics, the PTLLS is now called the AET (Award in Education and Training). The content is the same, but the regulatory bodies have changed the names to make it easier to understand. Therefore PTLLS, along with other teaching certifications like CTLLS and DTLLS, are no longer active but are still referred to by those who have worked in the industry for several years.

To make it easier, courses on our site are either referred to as the Award in Education and Training, or the Award in Education and Training, formerly PTLLS. 

Which PTLLS course is right for me?

As a foundation course, either level of PTLLS (or AET) is very accessible to those beginning their careers as educators or wishing to qualify their skills with a certification. While most PTLLS courses require at least Level 2 in Maths and English and Level 3 or a degree in your specialist subject, provider requirements can vary. If unsure, check with the provider by sending them an information request from the course page.