Membership Grades

The membership grade criteria are designed to be inclusive with regards to the diversity of roles found in the Further Education (FE) sector. This includes colleagues in support roles and those who have teaching/training experience but now have educational roles outside a specific classroom context. The qualification criteria for Members and Associates are based upon the Full and Associate teachers roles respectively, as defined in the 2007 Regulations on FE Teachers Qualifications.

Members can now also seek Licensed Practitioner Status. For Members this will be Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS), and for Associates, it will be Associate Teacher Learning and Skills (ATLS). Fellows will be eligible to apply for the licence which corresponds to their teaching qualification.

The key indicators to the appropriate grade of membership are the level of professional qualifications gained together with the extent of teaching experience.

The profiles which typify each grade are:

Fellow - FIfL

Highly experienced practitioners within post-16 education and training, who hold higher degrees (Masters and Doctorates) in the areas of education/training research and development in addition to their teaching qualification.

Typical accepted qualifications: MEd, MAEd, PhD (education or training).

Fellows are entitled to use the designatory letters FIfL.

Member - MIfL

Experienced practitioners within post-16 education and training, who hold a minimum of the level 5 Diploma (Diploma in Teaching in Lifelong Learning Sector, DTLLS) or equivalent (such as a PGCE, Cert. Ed, General Professional Recognition or level 4 Stage 3 FE Teacher Qualification), or level 4 stage 1 or 2 FE Teacher Qualification for part time teachers employed before September 2007.

Typical accepted qualifications: QTS awarded by DES, Art Teachers’ Certificate/Diploma, BSc(Hons) Education and Training, BEd, Postgraduate Certificates or Diplomas accredited by the Higher Education Academy.

Members are entitled to use the designatory letters MIfL.

Associate - AIfL

Experienced practitioners within post-16 education and training, who hold a minimum of the level 3/4 Certificate (Certificate in Teaching in Lifelong Learning Sector, CTLLS) or equivalent or level 4 stage 1 or 2 FE Teacher Qualification for full time teachers or assessor awards (eg D32/D33).

Typical accepted qualifications: All stages of City and Guilds 730/ 7301/ 7306/ 7307, Learning (or Training) and Development NVQ 3 or 4, Direct Training and Support NVQ3, CIPD Certificate in Training Practice.

Associates are entitled to use the designatory letters AIfL.

Affiliate

This category includes:

  • Holders of level 3/4 award (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector, PTLLS)
  • Holders of City and Guilds 7302 Certificate or Diploma in Delivering Learning
  • Holders of ABC level 3 Certificate in Facilitating Learning
  • Holders of stage 1 of City and Guilds 730/ 7301/ 7306/ 7307
  • Trainee teachers and others working towards post-16 education and training qualifications
  • Those in learning support roles
  • Anybody with a legitimate interest in the sector and work of the Institute.

Honorary

This grade is not applied for by the individual but is offered by the IfL Council to acknowledge outstanding contributions made to advance the sector.

If you are unhappy with the grade that you have been allocated, please contact the Membership Department in writing or by email: enquiries@ifl.ac.uk