What does the Level 3 AET Course cover?

The Level 3 AET qualification is made up of 3 units.

  • Unit 1: Understanding roles, responsibilities and relationships in education and training (3 credits)
  • Unit 2: Understanding and using inclusive teaching and learning approaches in education and training (6 credits)
  • Unit 3: Understanding assessment in education and training (3 credits)

Throughout this Level 3 Award in Education and Training course, you will be required to reflect on and evaluate current teaching methods. You will learn how to expand your current skills by adapting to new techniques covered within the course outline.

Here’s an overview of what you will learn within the three units of the Level 3 AET.

Lesson planning

We will teach you how to effectively plan lessons and courses. You will learn how to make the best use of your time and how to maximise the resources available for each lesson.

Teaching in a variety of situations

We will cover the essential skills needed to be a confident educator. You will learn how to take note of people’s needs and requirements so that you can adjust your lessons to be more inclusive. You will also learn how to teach a wide variety of learning environments and situations, from workplace on-the-job training to a formal classroom setting.

Different teaching methods

We will cover various teaching methods and how to apply these methods in the classroom effectively. You will learn how to assess the progress of your learners to ensure they are keeping up with the lessons and content covered and learning what is needed.

We will also teach you the best ways to implement assessments within your teaching and how to tailor these assessments to your learners.

What do I get when I complete the AET course?

Following the successful completion of this course, you will gain the Level 3 Award in Education and Training qualification. This award showcases that you can effectively plan lessons and courses. You can ensure that you not only include all the required topics but can also devote appropriate teaching methods and skills to each topic and subject area.

You will also have the confidence and skills to keep your pupils motivated and engaged throughout your lessons. You will be able to apply modern techniques to connect effectively with your students. These techniques can also be applied to your assessments, ensuring that you tailor your lessons to meet the learning abilities and outcomes of students.

By gaining the Level 3 Award in Education and Training, you will be able to:

  • Understand how to use different teaching techniques
  • Plan interesting and effective lessons
  • Know how to teach confidently and effectively
  • Be able to assess how well your students are learning
  • Prove you are ready to start teaching and training people

Check out our blog post on what you can teach after earning your Level 3 AET award here.

What can I do after getting my AET qualification?

Once you have successfully gained the Level 3 Award in Education and Training you can go on to earn the Level 4 Certificate in Training (CET).

By receiving these qualifications you will get a better chance in the job market, which can lead you on to complete the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET) and Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS).

For more guidance, check out our full breakdown of what course to take after your Level 3 DET.


Who is the Level 3 AET course for?

The Level 3 Award in Education and Training is ideal if you want to start teaching or training adults, whether it be at work, a one-to-one group basis or classroom. We recommend this course if you want to teach people to pass recognised qualifications, including NVQs, or want to give private tuition.

This is a nationally recognised qualification and is perfect if you are an existing teacher or trainer looking to get qualified, or if you intend to become a trainer in the teaching industry, commerce or post-16 sector.

The Level 3 Award in Education and Training is not suitable if you wish to teach in the compulsory education area, such as primary or secondary schools. If you want to get into teaching in these areas look at the Level 5 DET course.

Does the Level 3 AET course have entry requirements?

There are no formal entry requirements for the Level 3 Award in Education and Training. However, you must have a qualification or experience in the subject you wish to teach. This could range from a formal qualification to experience gained in the workplace or as a volunteer. To take this course online, you will also need a group of four people to teach for your 15-minute practical teaching session (known as microteaching), these could be colleagues, team members, volunteers, or members of a club or social organisation.

How is the course assessed?

The Level 3 Award in Education and Training consists of key assessments – including Microteaching. You will be required to teach a short sample lesson. This can focus on any subject. However, we recommend that you use the subject you are looking to teach once you complete the course.

We will guide you through what you must do to prepare and plan for this lesson. This assessment is the perfect chance for you to teach in a supportive and risk-free environment. You will be able to build confidence and apply the skills learned throughout the course.

You will also need to answer some written questions covering what you have learned in the course.  We guide you through topics such as best practices in teaching and training, meeting learners’ needs, as well as how to ensure that your candidates are learning everything you are teaching them.

The AET course replaces PTLLS courses and all previous courses, including:

  • City and Guilds Adult Education Certificate
  • 6302 PTLLS (from September 2013)
  • City and Guilds 7303 PTLLS
  • City and Guilds 7307
  • Certificate in Teaching Adult Learners 7407
  • Certificate in Further Education Teaching
  • 7302 Certificate in Delivering Learning

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