OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training

What is this qualification?

The Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training is a comprehensive programme designed to equip aspiring educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the field of education. This course focuses on instructional design, curriculum development, assessment strategies, and effective teaching methodologies. With practical experience and industry-recognised certification, you'll be prepared for roles as a teacher, trainer, or instructor in a wide range of educational settings. Enhance your professional development, gain practical skills, and make a positive impact on learners' lives. Enrol now in this highly regarded qualification and embark on a rewarding career in education and training.

Who is this qualification for?

The Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training is a comprehensive qualification designed for individuals who want to advance their careers in the field of education and training. This course provides advanced knowledge, skills, and understanding of teaching, training, and educational management.

1. Experienced Teachers and Trainers: If you are currently working as a teacher or trainer and want to enhance your teaching skills, expand your knowledge of educational theory and practice, or progress in your career, this diploma is an excellent choice. It equips you with advanced teaching methodologies, assessment strategies, curriculum design, and effective classroom management techniques.

2. Educational Managers and Leaders: This course is highly relevant for professionals in educational management or leadership roles who want to deepen their understanding of educational policies, strategic planning, quality assurance, and staff development. It provides the necessary skills to effectively lead and manage educational institutions or training organisations.

3. Higher Education Professionals: Individuals working in higher education institutions, such as universities or colleges, can benefit from this diploma. It covers topics such as academic leadership, curriculum development, student support, and research methods in education, enabling you to excel in higher education teaching or leadership roles.

4. Career Changers: It provides a recognised qualification that demonstrates your competence in teaching and training, making you eligible for a wide range of educational roles.

5. Professional Development: Even if you are not pursuing a career in education, this diploma can still be beneficial for professional development. It enhances your communication skills, presentation abilities, and critical thinking, which are transferable across various industries and roles.

This qualification is highly regarded within the education and training sector and can open doors to various roles such as teacher, trainer, curriculum developer, educational manager, or higher education lecturer.

OTHM publishes its full target audience for this qualification on its own page.

Why choose this qualification

The Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training is essential for individuals seeking to become qualified teachers or trainers. This course is required to gain expertise in curriculum development, assessment strategies, and effective teaching methodologies. It equips learners with the necessary skills to create engaging learning environments and deliver impactful lessons. With accreditation from reputable institutions, this diploma holds high value in the education sector, increasing employability and career advancement opportunities. The Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training is a recognised qualification, enabling graduates to inspire and empower learners, fostering a rewarding and fulfiling career in education. Enrol now to become a competent and confident educator.

Qualification structure and units

The OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training qualification consists of 4 mandatory units plus 8 optional units, 1200 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT) and the recommended Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for this qualification is a minimum of 360. The maximum guided learning hours will be determined by the optional units selected.

To achieve the OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training, learners must achieve a minimum of 120 credits; 75 credits must be achieved from the mandatory units in Group A, plus a minimum of 45 credits from the optional units in Group B.

A minimum of 61 credits must be at Level 5 (therefore a minimum of 6 optional credits must be achieved at level 5)

The learner will need to meet the requirements before OTHM can award the qualification, i.e. achieve the appropriate mandatory and optional units, as well as satisfactorily complete teaching practice.

Source: OTHM qualification specification (PDF) · Ofqual qualification number 603/6069/0.

How you study

The qualification is designed to be delivered over one academic year for full-time study, but it is also flexible in its delivery in order to accommodate part-time and distance learning.

The qualification is delivered face-to-face, through lectures, tutorials, seminars, distance, online by approved centres only.

At Education Training the qualification is delivered online: you receive the materials, assignment briefs and tutor support through the learning platform and submit work when you are ready. There are no fixed lecture times, so you can start in any month.

Where the qualification requires teaching or assessment practice, you complete the hours in your own workplace or on an agreed placement and log them in your portfolio.

How you are assessed

Judgment that the learners have successfully fulfiled the assessment criteria is made by the Assessor.

The qualification will be assessed by a combination of assignments, a portfolio of teaching evidence and observation of teaching or training. Simulation of teaching is not permitted for this qualification.

All learners must have access to 100 hours of teaching and there must be a minimum of eight observations of practice, totalling a minimum of eight hours.

OTHM publishes its full assessment and verification policy for this qualification on its own page.

Entry requirements

For entry onto the OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training qualification, learners must:

• Hold a relevant vocational and/or academic qualification of at least the level above that of their learners and ideally a minimum Level 3 qualification in his/her own area of specialism.
• Have access to 100 teaching practice hours during which learners have full responsibility for planning, delivering and assessing specific area/s of the institution’s provision.

English requirements: For more information visit English Language Expectations page on this website.

Centres need to ensure that learners are selected for suitability on the course, establishing that they meet the following minimum criteria:

• Can read and communicate clearly and accurately enough to meet the requirements of their training
• Do not have a criminal background which might prevent them from working as a teacher with young people or vulnerable adults

The Centre must provide evidence that staff delivering the qualification hold as a minimum:

• A teaching qualification equivalent to Level 5 or above;
• Evidence of relevant teaching experience in an education or training context;
• Access to appropriate guidance and support; and
• On-going participation in related programme quality assurance processes.

OTHM publishes its full entry requirements for this qualification on its own page.

Fees and payment plans

A £10 enrolment fee is paid with the application. Fees include tuition, learning materials, assignment marking and the awarding-body certificate. Prices correct as of 23 October 2026.

Refund policy · Complaints procedure

What is included

Progression and career routes

Successful completion supports progression to the next level and to employment in education and training roles.

Related job profiles on the National Careers Service (pay, hours and entry routes are published there):

• Further education lecturer
• Training manager

OTHM publishes its full progression routes for this qualification on its own page.

How this qualification compares

Figures below come from Education Training's own catalogue and enquiry records, not from estimates; each carries the date it was calculated.

How the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training compares with other Level 5 qualifications (as of 23 October 2026)

1200 TQT hours against a Level 5 median of 430 (+179%), 120 credits against a median of 120, across 13 Level 5 qualifications

Regulated qualifications offered by Education Training, by level (as of 23 October 2026)

Level 2: 1 qualification; Level 3: 7 qualifications; Level 4: 14 qualifications; Level 5: 13 qualifications; Level 6: 3 qualifications; Level 7: 4 qualifications (42 in total)

Share of course-page views by RQF level (all time) (as of 23 October 2026)

Level 0: 2%; Level 3: 6%; Level 4: 1%; Level 5: 90%; Level 6: 1%

Credits and study hours by RQF level (as of 23 October 2026)

Level 2: median 37 credits, TQT hours, GLH; Level 3: median 18 credits, TQT hours, GLH; Level 4: median 33 credits, 780 TQT hours, 125 GLH; Level 5: median 120 credits, 815 TQT hours, 600 GLH; Level 6: median 120 credits, 1200 TQT hours, 480 GLH; Level 7: median 120 credits, 1200 TQT hours, 600 GLH

Awarding body and regulation

This qualification is awarded by OTHM, an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual. Its qualification number is 603/6069/0 — view the entry on the Ofqual register. Education Training is an approved centre: we deliver and assess the qualification, OTHM verifies our assessment decisions and issues the certificate. Read about OTHM recognition.

How to apply

Pay the £10 enrolment fee when you submit your application (separate from the course fee).

1. Apply online
   Use Apply now to open the application form with this programme pre-selected. Tell us about your current role and qualifications; pay the £10 enrolment fee to complete enrolment when prompted.
2. Course activation
   Once you enrol, we email your course activation link within 24 hours.
3. Course fee
   Admissions email a secure link to pay the course fee in full or on an instalment plan (usually within one working day). There is no fixed intake date.

Progression path

1. Level 4 Certificate
2. →
3. Level 5 Diploma
4. →
5. Level 6 Diploma
6. →
7. QTLS

Related pages

• Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training
• Level 5 Certificate in Teaching Learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
• OTHM Level 5 Extended Diploma in Education and Training Management

Browse every Education and Training qualification or all Level 5 qualifications.