course comparison · 2026
the short answer
A basic 120-hour accredited TEFL is enough for most no-degree markets like Cambodia and Mexico, but a Level 5 (Ofqual-style regulated) course adds depth, sometimes assessed teaching practice, and can help with pickier employers or slightly more competitive markets like Georgia. Neither course requires a degree to enrol. Choose Level 5 if your budget and timeline allow; choose 120-hour if you need to get moving fast and are targeting the most flexible no-degree countries.
| TEFL hours | 120 basic vs 300+ Level 5 typically |
|---|---|
| Degree | Not required for either course |
| Accepted? | Both work in most no-degree markets |
| Timeline | 120hr: 1-4 weeks; Level 5: longer, more modules |
| Typical cost | 120hr often a few hundred on promotion; Level 5 costs more |
| Best for | Level 5 for pickier markets, 120hr for speed |
step one, always
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typical, not guaranteed
If you're aiming at Cambodia or Mexico, a 120-hour course is usually plenty; Georgia, Costa Rica or online platforms may reward Level 5.
Check whether the Level 5 course includes assessed teaching practice or deeper modules, since this is where the real value sits.
120-hour courses are usually fully self-paced; Level 5 courses may have more structure or deadlines to plan around.
Take lesson planning and classroom management sections seriously regardless of which course you pick — this is what transfers to the job.
List whether you hold a basic or Level 5 certificate clearly on your CV, since some employers specifically scan for this.
A basic 120-hour TEFL course covers the core fundamentals — grammar, lesson planning basics, classroom management — in a fairly compact format. A Level 5 (Ofqual-style regulated) course goes deeper, often running 300+ hours' worth of content and sometimes including assessed or observed teaching components, which is closer to what CELTA offers, without CELTA's cost or in-person requirement.
In Cambodia, Laos and most of Mexico and Colombia's private institutes, a 120-hour accredited certificate is the norm and typically all that's asked for. If you're moving fast, on a tight budget, or just testing whether teaching is for you, there's little reason to spend more upfront.
Slightly more competitive or smaller markets like Georgia, or higher-paying private institutes anywhere, sometimes favour candidates with a stronger certificate when choosing between similar applicants. Level 5 can also matter more for online platforms and tutoring marketplaces, where your certificate is one of the few things a hiring manager can actually verify remotely.
Neither a 120-hour nor a Level 5 course substitutes for a degree where one is legally required for a work visa — Thailand's formal work permit system, South Korea, Japan and the UAE all generally expect a bachelor's regardless of TEFL level. Don't assume upgrading your TEFL certificate opens degree-required doors; it mainly strengthens your position within no-degree markets.
what people actually ask
It can be, particularly for slightly more competitive no-degree markets or online platforms, where a stronger certificate helps you stand out. If you're targeting the most flexible markets like Cambodia, a basic 120-hour course is usually sufficient.
Yes, enrolment in TEFL courses, including Level 5, generally doesn't require a degree. The degree question only matters later when applying for specific jobs or visas that have their own separate requirements.
This varies by provider, but Level 5 courses commonly total 300 or more hours of content, sometimes with assessed teaching components, compared to a basic 120-hour course. Check the specific provider's breakdown before enrolling.
Not directly — those countries' formal work visa rules generally require a degree regardless of TEFL level. A stronger TEFL certificate helps your application quality but doesn't override a legal degree requirement for a work permit.
Most beginners start with a 120-hour accredited course to test the waters affordably and quickly, then consider a Level 5 or CELTA later if they decide to pursue teaching more seriously or target pickier markets.