Level 5 standalone specialist diplomas (6503)

Last Updated: 14 May 2018
The level 5 Specialist Diplomas are qualifications designed for those working or wishing to work as teacher/trainers in English, Mathematics, ESOL or with Disabled Learners, in England. All candidates, whether pre-service or in service must have access to 50 hours teaching practice for a single qualification, (either Literacy, Numeracy, ESOL or Disabled Learners) or 70 hours teaching practice  if completing the Literacy and ESOL combined qualification.

Candidates who successfully complete these qualifications will take an analytical and practical approach to all aspects of planning, delivering and assessing inclusive teaching and learning within their specialist area.  Whilst doing this, candidates will ensure that the theories and principles in education and training, and their specialism, are being clearly demonstrated in their practice.


Candidates will also carry out research into professionalism in education and training and their specialist area, and consider the impact on their role and their accountability as a teacher/trainer.
 

For candidates who want to work as teachers/trainers of English, Mathematics, ESOL or Disabled Learners (specialist teachers)  in the further education and skills sector

For candidates who want to be specialist teachers who are not in a teaching/training role or who have just started a teaching/training role.

For qualified teachers/trainers who wish to become qualified specialist teachers

For teachers/trainers who are seeking career progression in their area of work

For candidates who are assessors and wish to achieve a specialist qualification.

Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland
  • Ireland

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

The qualifications cover the knowledge and skills required by specialist teachers/trainers in the further education and skills sector, such as:

The theories and frameworks of the specialism

Teaching and learning strategies  within the specialism.

There is a requirement for a minimum of 50 hours teaching/training practice for the single specialist qualifications and 70 hours teaching/training practice for the combined Literacy and ESOL qualification.


The Level 5 stand alone specialist diplomas in education and training are qualifications which extend into investigation and research into current practice and the theories and models relating to education and training, in the context of the specialism selected.  Throughout the programme, candidates will demonstrate their ability to transfer the findings of their research into their own practice.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

The qualifications may allow candidates to progress into employment as teachers/trainers or to one of the following City ad Guilds qualifications:-

9200 Professional recognition qualifications

6502 Level 5 generic  Diploma in Education and Training

What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

There are mandatory units and option units within these qualifications.  For a single specialism, (English, Mathematics, ESOL, Disabled Learners) candidates must achieve 45 credits, and for the Literacy and ESOL combined specialism,  candidates must achieve 60 credits  Some of the knowledge only units in these qualifications also appear as option units in the generic 6502 Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training.  There is no requirement to complete these units again if a candidate has achieved them through the generic diploma route. All observations must be in the specialist context.

Suggested assessment activities are provided in the form of example assignments in an assessment pack, available on the City & Guilds website. www.cityandguilds.com

 

All those delivering these qualifications and/or observing and assessing practice must be able to demonstrate that they meet the following occupational expertise requirements. They must have:

  • A teaching qualification equivalent to Level 5 or above;
  • A Level 4 specialist  qualification or Level 5 Additional Diploma or equivalent qualification in the relevant specialist area;
  • Evidence of teaching experience in the particular specialist context
  • In depth knowledge of the specialist area
  • Access to appropriate guidance and support
  • On-going participation  in related programme quality assurance processes

 

 

Level 5

The Level 5 stand alone specialist diplomas in education and training are qualifications which extend into investigation and research into current practice and the theories and models relating to education and training, in the context of the specialism selected.  Throughout the programme, candidates will demonstrate their ability to transfer the findings of their research into their own practice.

 

At level 5, candidates need to demonstrate in their assessments a depth of knowledge and understanding appropriate to that level.  This should be reflected in:

  • A critical reflection of the relationship between theory/principles and practice
  • A considered and targeted approach to reading and research
  • Clear evidence of substantial reading including professional publications,
  • An academic style of writing, in which a recognised system of referencing is followed, the Harvard system is recommended.  Writing should be concise and candidates should provide evidence of careful planning.

Candidate assignments should be word processed.  Where this is not possible, guidance should be sought from City & Guilds policy document Access to Assessment available to download from the website.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

The qualifications may allow candidates to progress into employment as teachers/trainers  and specialist teachers of maths, English and Special Educational Needs

Level 5 Diploma in Teaching English: Literacy (6503-51)
Last Registration Date: 31 Jul 2020

Level 5 Diploma in Teaching English: Literacy

  • Accreditation No: 601/0873/3 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 45 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 120 - 120 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 450 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/07/2023 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Mathematics: Numeracy (6503-52)
Last Registration Date: 31 Jul 2020

Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Mathematics: Numeracy

  • Accreditation No: 601/0876/9 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 45 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 120 - 120 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 450 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/07/2023 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 5 Diploma in Teaching English: Literacy and ESOL (6503-54)
Last Registration Date: 31 Jul 2020

Level 5 Diploma in Teaching English: Literacy and ESOL

  • Accreditation No: 601/0875/7 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 60 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 180 - 180 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 600 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/07/2023 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Disabled Learners (6503-55)
Last Registration Date: 31 Jul 2020

Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Disabled Learners

  • Accreditation No: 601/0877/0 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 45 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 120 - 120 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 450 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/07/2023 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to walled-garden.com and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form