What are the standard entry requirements?
- GCSE English Language at grade 4/C or above (or Functional Skills Level 2 English)
- GCSE Maths at grade 4/C or above (or Functional Skills Level 2 Maths)
- Aged 19 or over at the start of the course (for funded or regulated provision)
- Right to study in the UK
- Access to a school, nursery, or educational setting for portfolio evidence (level 3 diplomas)
Do I need teaching experience to enrol?
Formal teaching experience is not a requirement for enrolment on a level 2 or level 3 teaching assistant qualification. However, most level 3 diplomas assess competence through a workplace evidence portfolio, which means you need access to a relevant setting — either as an employee, a volunteer, or through an arranged placement — to complete the qualification.
If you do not currently work in education or childcare, enrolling on a level 2 certificate first while arranging voluntary work in a local school or nursery is a common approach. Some awarding bodies and providers accept evidence gathered from a minimum of two to three hours per week in a setting, which is compatible with part-time or voluntary arrangements.
What if I do not have GCSEs in English or maths?
Functional Skills Level 2 qualifications in English and maths are accepted as direct GCSE equivalents by all Ofqual-regulated awarding bodies. You can study Functional Skills Level 2 alongside your teaching or childcare qualification, and many Lift College learners do exactly this. Completing Functional Skills at level 2 while studying your main diploma does not typically extend the overall time to completion significantly, since the Functional Skills assessments are online and can be taken when you are ready.
Are there age restrictions?
There is no upper age limit for studying teaching assistant or early years qualifications. The vast majority of people studying these qualifications are adults aged 19 and over — many are parents returning to work, career changers from unrelated sectors, or support workers formalising skills they have been using informally for years. There is no requirement to have studied recently or to hold any post-16 qualifications before enrolling.
Do I need a DBS check before starting?
A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is not required to enrol on an online teaching assistant or early years qualification. The study and assessment can begin before any DBS check is completed. A DBS check becomes necessary when you begin supervised work directly with children, which is required if you are gathering portfolio evidence in a school or nursery setting. Employers and placement providers arrange the DBS check for their own safeguarding compliance — it is not something learners arrange independently for qualification purposes.
Entry requirements for level 5 FE teaching qualifications
The Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET) typically requires evidence of subject specialist knowledge at level 3 or above in the area you intend to teach. You will also need access to a teaching practice environment, meaning you must be teaching, delivering training, or in a volunteer instructional role for a minimum number of hours while studying. Most providers ask for at least 100 hours of teaching practice over the duration of the course. Entry requirements at level 5 are therefore more demanding than at level 2 or 3.