The Diploma in Educational Studies (DOES) is designed for those candidates who want to extend their subject knowledge of education. It would suit candidates who wish to put their skills into practice in a guided and independent small-scale study.

Learning at this level involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. It is appropriate for people working independently, or in some areas supervising and training others in their field of work. This qualification recognises the ability to gain, and where relevant apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding.

The Diploma consists of 72 hours of learning time and a project of between 1200 – 2000 words. The qualification is suitable for teachers and para-educationalists alike, which are able to demonstrate that they can take responsibility for their own sustained professional development or setting objectives for improvement and taking actions to reach those objectives.

Typically a university course of 10 to 20 2-hour sessions would, on successful completion, be worth between 10 and 20 HE credits, at one of Levels 1 to 3. The areas of learning according to the extent of how the knowledge or skills of the candidate develops and, more importantly, how it is assessed and what the entry requirements are justify how The College HE credits are allocated.

The DOES is allocated with HE credits as part of a practitioner learning programme. The amount of HE credit allocated significantly increases as the level of assessment increases and the DOES is allocated 10 HE credits at Practitioner and 20 HE credits at Master Practitioner.

The College of Teachers' qualifications are independently valid and stand alongside the National Qualification Framework (NQF) and Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ).