Level 5 Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)

What is this qualification?

The Level 5 Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is a Qualifi qualification regulated by Ofqual and delivered by approved centres such as Education Training.

Qualifi publishes its full qualification overview for this qualification on its own page.

Who is this qualification for?

This Level 5 diploma suits practising teachers and trainers who want the full teaching qualification for the further education and skills sector in teaching english as a foreign language (tefl).

Level 5 is equivalent to Year 2 of a UK bachelor's degree (Foundation degree / HND).

• Study fully online with tutor support from Education Training, with no fixed timetable.
• Assessment by assignments, so you can evidence learning from your own workplace.
• Each level leads directly to the next: Level 3 Award, Level 4 Certificate, Level 5 Diploma.

Qualification structure and units

The qualification totals 40 credits, 400 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT). Unit details are published in the Qualifi specification.

Source: Qualifi qualification specification (PDF) · Ofqual qualification number 603/3835/0.

How you study

Standard study plan: 6 Months; extended plan: 9 Months.

At Education Training the qualification is delivered online: you receive the materials, assignment briefs and tutor support through the learning platform and submit work when you are ready. There are no fixed lecture times, so you can start in any month.

Where the qualification requires teaching or assessment practice, you complete the hours in your own workplace or on an agreed placement and log them in your portfolio.

How you are assessed

Units are assessed through written assignments and, where the qualification requires it, observed teaching or assessment practice. Work is marked by the centre and externally verified by Qualifi. There are no examinations.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements are set by Qualifi for this qualification. Contact admissions to check your eligibility before you apply.

Qualifi publishes its full entry requirements for this qualification on its own page.

Fees and payment plans

A £10 enrolment fee is paid with the application. Fees include tuition, learning materials, assignment marking and the awarding-body certificate. Prices correct as of 23 October 2026.

Refund policy · Complaints procedure

What is included

Progression and career routes

Successful completion supports progression to the next level and to employment in teaching english as a foreign language (tefl) roles.

Related job profiles on the National Careers Service (pay, hours and entry routes are published there):

• TEFL teacher

Qualifi publishes its full progression routes for this qualification on its own page.

How this qualification compares

Figures below come from Education Training's own catalogue and enquiry records, not from estimates; each carries the date it was calculated.

How this qualification compares with other Level 5 qualifications (as of 23 October 2026)

400 TQT hours against a Level 5 median of 1200 (-67%), 40 credits against a median of 120, across 13 Level 5 qualifications

Mandatory and optional units across Level 5 Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) qualifications (as of 23 October 2026)

the qualification: 10 mandatory, 0 optional

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) progression ladder (Levels 3–5) (as of 23 October 2026)

Level 3: Level 3 Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) → Level 5: the qualification

Credits and study hours by RQF level (as of 23 October 2026)

Level 2: median 37 credits, TQT hours, GLH; Level 3: median 18 credits, TQT hours, GLH; Level 4: median 33 credits, 780 TQT hours, 125 GLH; Level 5: median 120 credits, 815 TQT hours, 600 GLH; Level 6: median 120 credits, 1200 TQT hours, 480 GLH; Level 7: median 120 credits, 1200 TQT hours, 600 GLH

Awarding body and regulation

This qualification is awarded by Qualifi, an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual. Its qualification number is 603/3835/0 — view the entry on the Ofqual register. Education Training is an approved centre: we deliver and assess the qualification, Qualifi verifies our assessment decisions and issues the certificate. Read about Qualifi recognition.

Additional requirements

Learning outcomes

1. Understand the rules of English language and how to convey these in a foreign language classroom.
2. Understand the nature of foreign language skills and how to develop them.
3. Understand and apply basic standard teaching procedures appropriately.
4. Select, design, and review their own teaching materials and lesson plans appropriate to specific teaching situations.
5. Demonstrate their ability to work independently.
6. Improve their own employability through developing their awareness of the relationship between learner needs and the practical application of teaching methodology in the language classroom.

How to apply

Pay the £10 enrolment fee when you submit your application (separate from the course fee).

1. Apply online
   Use Apply now to open the application form with this programme pre-selected. Tell us about your current role and qualifications; pay the £10 enrolment fee to complete enrolment when prompted.
2. Course activation
   Once you enrol, we email your course activation link within 24 hours.
3. Course fee
   Admissions email a secure link to pay the course fee in full or on an instalment plan (usually within one working day). There is no fixed intake date.

Progression path

1. Level 3 Certificate
2. →
3. Level 5 Diploma
4. →
5. Level 6 Diploma
6. →
7. QTLS

Related pages

• Level 5 Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
• Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language with Practice (CertTEFL)
• Level 5 Certificate in Observed Teaching Practice (TEFL)

Browse every Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) qualification or all Level 5 qualifications.