MCA COURSE OUTLINE · 610/5416/1
Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills)
People developing professional practice as teachers in Further Education and Skills.
Qualification at a glance
- Qualification number
- 610/5416/1
- Awarding organisation
- iCQ Awards (iCan Qualifications Limited)
- Minimum credits
- 120
- Guided learning hours
- 360
- Total qualification time
- 1200 hours
Entry requirements and assessment access
The specification requires Level 2 maths and English qualifications or equivalent and recommends computer literacy. You need a suitable teaching placement or employment setting for professional practice; MCA confirms placement and observation requirements.
What you will learn
- Connect subject expertise with effective teaching
- Evaluate learners’ needs and inclusive approaches
- Develop professional practice and digital and online pedagogies
Qualification structure and unit choices
Structure: achieve all 5 mandatory units in Group A and 2 units from the optional units in Group B. A total of 120 credits must be achieved.
Mandatory units form the core. Optional units, where available, are selected with your assessor to match your role and the rules of combination; the full optional list is not a requirement to complete every unit.
| Unit code | Unit title | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| A/651/4263 | Teachers and teaching | 5 | 15 |
| D/651/4264 | Professional practice | 5 | 30 |
| F/651/4265 | Learners and learning | 5 | 15 |
| J/651/4267 | Effective digital and online pedagogies | 5 | 15 |
| Y/651/4262 | Teaching my subject | 5 | 15 |
Group B: Optional Units (4 units)
| Unit code | Unit title | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| H/505/1090 | Developing, using and organising resources in a specialist area | 5 | 15 |
| J/505/1096 | Teaching in a specialist area | 4 | 15 |
| L/503/5384 | Inclusive practice | 4 | 15 |
| T/503/5380 | Action research | 5 | 15 |
How you are assessed
Portfolio covering professional practice, subject teaching, learners and learning, and digital pedagogy, with two optional units. Teaching evidence, observations and reflective review are planned with MCA.
Your assessor records decisions against the unit criteria. All required outcomes must be achieved; assessment evidence is reviewed through internal and awarding-body quality assurance. Prior learning may be considered where permitted and supported by valid evidence.
Delivery and learner support
MCA offers tutor-supported online and blended learning. Your agreed study plan sets the tutorial format, workplace visits or teaching observations, independent study and review arrangements. Practical assessment cannot be replaced by online study alone.
Discuss accessibility needs, reasonable adjustments and learning support with MCA at the application stage.
Duration, start dates and fees
Start dates, fees, payment options and the planned completion period are confirmed in writing before enrolment. Qualification learning hours describe the study requirement; they are not a promise of a fixed calendar duration. Ask MCA for a personalised quotation and timetable.
Progression
Develop teaching practice in Further Education and Skills; any professional status application has its own requirements.
Apply or ask a question
Tell us your chosen qualification, experience and current role so we can check the right pathway.
Request your course planUnit titles, credits and qualification structure checked against the published iCQ specification on 3 October 2026. This MCA outline explains the learner journey; the registered assessment plan controls the exact unit selection and assessment criteria.