Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET)

The Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) offers you an introduction to teaching in further education. 

The qualification covers: 

• Understanding roles, responsibilities and relationships in education and training;
• Understanding and using inclusive teaching and learning approaches in education;
• Understanding assessment in education and training.

AET Teaching Requirement

This AET is a knowledge-based qualification. You do not have to fulfil any no minimum teaching practice requirement to gain the award. So, you can take the AET if you are not in a teaching role. 

However, you do have to part in one hour of peer teaching as part of the Understanding and using inclusive teaching and learning approaches in education and training (Level 3) unit. These microteaching sessions involve planning at least one 15-minute observed and assessed lesson for a group. We usually use a peer group of other learners. After delivering the teaching, you review the session and respond to feedback from the observer and the ‘learners’. You can deliver additional sessions to meet the additional required 45 minutes of microteaching. Alternatively, you can observe the microteaching of other trainee teachers.  

Of course, if you are a trainee teacher already in a teaching role, you may be able to use your usual workplace teaching for the micro-teaching requirement.

Level 3 Award Progression

The Level 3 AET qualification is not a prerequisite to you joining a Level 4 CET or a Level 5 DET. The suite of education and training courses is not primarily a progression path to full qualification. 

Award in Education and Training Employment

The level 3 award in education and training offers you limited opportunities for employment. However, the award will provide you with an informed basis for deciding whether or not to take further qualifications and pursue a career in further education.

Links to Other Qualifications in Education and Training

The Level 3 AET is an introductory generic teaching qualification. However, if you decide to take the Level 4 CET after the Level 3 AET there is no credit transfer between the qualifications. 

No credit from the Level 3 Award is transferable to the Level 5 DET.

AET Course Entry Requirements

There are no nationally agreed AET course entry requirements. However, course providers can set their entry criteria. Please contact Teacher Assist for details of the AET course entry requirements of the NCFE and TQUK awarding bodies.