tefl course uk · 2026
You do not need to move to a classroom in London to get certified. A TEFL course in the UK is normally online, self-paced and accredited, and most people finish inside 60 days. Here is what each course level costs, what it gets you, and how to actually get the certificate in your hand.
the quick answer
| Degree | No degree | TEFL | Pay | Hardest part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not needed to take a TEFL course; needed for some countries' visas | Anyone 18+ with good English can enrol and certify | 120-hour is the entry level, Level 5 is regulated and stronger | £149 for 120-hour, £299 for Level 5, around £1,395 for CELTA | Finishing the assignments instead of letting the login go cold |
It is simpler than people make it sound. Pick accredited, enrol, study, submit, download.
The standard UK entry ticket at around £149. Accredited, assessed and enough to start applying, especially in countries that hire without a degree.
Around £299 and regulated, with far more assessment than a basic 120. It reads stronger on a CV, gets you past pickier schools and gives you leverage at interview.
Around £1,395 for the Cambridge qualification: four intensive weeks with observed teaching practice. The most recognised name and the best option if teaching becomes the career.
Courses are self-paced. Most people finish a 120-hour course in a few weeks alongside work, and your pass is guaranteed inside 60 days.
Mystery accreditation, instant certificates with no assessment, fake countdown timers and promises of guaranteed jobs. A pass guarantee is normal. A job guarantee is not.
searched at 2am. answered.
Enrol on an accredited online course, complete the modules and assignments, pass the assessments and download your certificate. No classroom attendance is needed unless you take CELTA.
Roughly £149 for an accredited 120-hour course, £299 for a Level 5, and around £1,395 for CELTA because it includes four weeks of in-person teaching practice.
Most people finish a 120-hour course in a few weeks part-time. Your pass is guaranteed inside 60 days.
Level 5 is the better buy for most people: regulated, deeper and stronger on a CV. A 120-hour is the cheaper starter and CELTA is the premium career route.
Yes. Almost all TEFL courses except CELTA are fully online and self-paced, so you can study from any country, and employers abroad accept accredited online certificates.
Free taster courses are usually unaccredited and unassessed, so most employers and visa processes will not count them. Pay for an accredited course.
No. Anyone 18+ with strong English can take a TEFL course. A degree only matters for certain countries' work visas.
It is the common minimum and enough to start applying, though Level 5 or CELTA helps when schools compare similar candidates.
the course call
Your pass is guaranteed within 60 days. Course prices and acceptance vary by provider, employer and country, so check job listings and visa requirements for your target market before buying.
Want the lighter start? A credible 120-hour course is still the entry route. Level 5 simply gives your application more weight.