DET v DIT: Which course do I need?

DET v DIT: Which course do I need?

The Difference Between the Level 5 DET and the Level 5 DT

If you are aiming to teach, you have probably heard of both the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET) and the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (DiT). The simplest way to explain the difference is that the DiT has become the main route into teaching and it largely replaces the DET.

As of September 2024, you can no longer gain QTLS accreditation through the Level 5 DET, and if this is a requirement for you, you need to complete the newer DIT.

That does not make the DET “bad”. It just means the sector has moved forward, and the DiT is built to match what employers expect now.

What the DET is (and why people still ask about it)

The DET is a nationally recognised, Ofqual-regulated teaching qualification that was designed for people teaching, training, or tutoring. It builds the core foundations: planning, delivery, assessment, and professional practice.

With our 5 Star Education DET course, you complete seven units and you are observed for 8 sessions (minimum 1 hour). You also need access to 100 hours of teaching.

What the DIT is (and why it is now the “default” Level 5)

The DIT (also called the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching: Further Education and Skills) is the updated qualification that largely replaces the DET and reflects modern teaching practice.

It puts stronger weight on digital and online pedagogy, action research, and evidence-based practice.

On our 5 Star Education DIT course, you are observed for 10 sessions (minimum 45 minutes) and you also complete a 30-minute professional discussion.

The differences that actually matter (not just the names)

1) QTLS Accreditation

If you are looking to apply for QTLS accreditation upon completion, the DET is no longer accepted. You will need to complete the Diploma in Teaching.

2) Teaching practice hours and intensity

This is the biggest practical difference.

With the DIT, the typical requirement is at least 250 placement hours, with clear expectations around hands-on teaching, face-to-face delivery, and live remote teaching.

With the DET, the older requirement is typically 100 logged teaching hours, and the 5 Star course entry requirements also reference access to 100 hours of teaching.

3) Observations

The DIT requires more observations than the DET.

At 5 Star Education specifically:

  • DET: 8 observed sessions (minimum 1 hour).
  • DIT: 10 observed sessions (minimum 45 minutes) plus a 30-minute professional discussion.

4) Digital teaching and “current” classroom reality

The DIT is built with modern delivery in mind. It has a strong emphasis on effective digital and online pedagogies and expects you to be ready for blended or online teaching.

The DET covers core teaching practice well, but it does not lead with that same modern digital focus in the way the DiT does.

5) Units and the shape of the programme

Both are Level 5 and typically sit around 120 credits.
What changes is how the learning is packaged.

  • DET has 7 units (including inclusive practice and teaching in a specialist area).
  • DIT has 9 units and explicitly includes “Effective Digital and Online Pedagogies” among its units.

Benefits of the DET

The DET is a strong choice if you want a solid teaching foundation without the heavier practical load of the DIT.

You get a clear route to strengthen lesson planning, inclusive delivery, and assessment practice, backed by observed teaching and a portfolio approach.

The DET course offers 9 months access to the learning platform so you can work through the course at your own pace.

If you already hold the DET, it can still be useful, especially where employers recognise it as part of your teaching journey. What matters most is your teaching practice, your evidence, and how you apply it.

Benefits of the DIT

The DIT is the best fit if you want the most up-to-date Level 5 teaching qualification and you want your training to match real Further Education delivery now.

You get deeper practical experience, more observations, and an explicit aim to build confidence across different settings, including live remote teaching.

If you are looking to apply for QTLS accreditation upon completion, the DET is no longer accepted. You will need to complete the Diploma in Teaching.

So which one should you choose?

Choose the DiT if you want the most current Level 5 teaching qualification, especially if QTLS is on your roadmap and you want stronger alignment with modern delivery and practice expectations.

Choose the DET if you want a strong Level 5 foundation with a lighter practical footprint, or if you are already positioned in a setting where DET is still accepted and you want to formalise your teaching practice with structured evidence.

Ready to enrol?

If you want to go straight to the course pages:

Both courses RRP at £999.99, currently 50% off to £499.99 with code 5Star50

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