Choosing a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course can be tricky. With so many options available, you may be wondering which program is best for you.
For those who want to go beyond basic qualifications, a rigorous Level 5 TEFL certification course could be your best choice!
Generally speaking, TEFL level 5 courses are among the most recognized and accepted TEFL certifications in the sector.
They require more work and are generally more expensive than a standard certification, but you could end up with more job opportunities and a higher salary therefore.
I took my Online TEFL certification and it allowed me to teach English while working and traveling all over the world. Getting certified is truly one of the best things I have ever done.
This guide will feature the best Level 5 TEFL courses on the market today.
What is a Level 5 TEFL course?
To be classified as TEFL Level 5, course material must be regulated by the UK government and must meet higher requirements than standard TEFL qualifications.
The governing body that regulates and monitors TEFL Level 5 courses is called The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, or Ofqual.
A Level 5 TEFL certificate must meet the same standards as a CELTA Or TrinityCertTESOL certification. Collectively, these certifications are considered the best for aspiring English teachers.
Usually, TEFL Level 5 courses are cheaper than CELTA or TrinityCertTESOL courses, making them an affordable alternative if you want additional training.
Courses must meet rigorous accreditation and regulatory standards.
As I discuss each program below, I will share more information about their regulation and accreditation status.
Who should take a level 5 course?
Level 5 TEFL courses are more advanced than standard TEFL training programs. They require more work and will take more time to complete, but you will leave with a deeper knowledge of teaching practices and a higher level certification.
Although a basic TEFL certification is sufficient for most teaching jobs abroad, having an advanced certification can be useful if you plan to apply for more competitive positions.
This could help your application stand out and provide you with more opportunities in the long run.
A level 5 TEFL course is for you if:
- You want to teach abroad in a country with a competitive education market
- Do you want to apply for higher level teaching positions abroad?
- CELTA and TrinityCertTESOL courses are out of your price range
- Don’t mind spending more time getting a higher level TEFL certification
- You would like to have a more in-depth knowledge of TEFL practices and methods
1. The TEFL Institute
The TEFL Institute’s 180-hour Level 5 TEFL Diploma sits alongside CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL. This government-regulated and internationally respected degree is actively sought after by employers from Tokyo to Dubai.
- DEAC Approved: Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- Ofqual-Regulated: Approved by the UK Government
- Highfield qualifications: awarded by an Ofqual regulated body
For serious educators, this means your qualifications are automatically verified and respected by international schools, government programs, and premium online education platforms around the world, with no additional validation required.
Online TEFL Diploma Bundle (180 hours)
- 180-hour level 5 diploma (11 intensive modules, 290 total qualification hours)
- Four free specialist courses: Business English, Teaching Young Learners, IELTS Preparation, Advanced Grammar, Using AI in EFL and Online Teaching ($895 value, FREE)
- 29 hours of live tutored workshops with CELTA/DELTA qualified instructors
- 6 hours of personal career coaching and a dedicated recruitment advisor
- Lifetime employment assistance – CV optimization, interview preparation and placement service
- 6 months of unlimited access with mobile app support
- Free Access: TEFL Explorer, their AI-powered TEFL career ecosystem
- Express Certification and Employer Verification System
Advanced TEFL Diploma Option (310 hours)
THE 310-hour Hybrid Level 5 Advanced TEFL Diploma is the TEFL Institute’s most comprehensive Level 5 qualification, combining the full 180-hour Level 5 Diploma with two specialist 60-hour Level 5 courses and 10 hours of live placement to give teachers advanced, real-world classroom skills.
It is designed for aspiring and new teachers who want a globally recognized, diploma-equivalent foundation qualification that prepares them to teach in high-demand niches such as business English and one-on-one teaching abroad and online.
Why teachers choose the TEFL Institute
- 4.9 star rating from over 2,127 Google reviews – Voted Best TEFL Provider 2025
- Employer Verification System: Schools around the world can instantly verify your qualification through their secure online portal.
- Targeted assistance: Individual advice for US and UK citizens regarding visa requirements, international banking and tax implications.
- No teaching experience required: a passion for English and minimum C1 proficiency are all you need.
- Flexible learning: study on any device, anywhere. Complete in 4-6 weeks or take up to 6 months.
2. The TEFL Academy
The TEFL Academy offers two Level 5 TEFL course options. Both courses are approved and accredited by the Distance Education Accreditation Commission (a US government agency) and Ofqual (a UK government agency).
These courses are affordable and offer plenty of free training, materials, and support. Learn more about the TEFL Academy hereor read on.
TEFL level 5 course online (168 hours)
The online course is a 168-hour TEFL certification that can be completed remotely.
It also includes a free 30-hour complementary course. Students can choose between additional business English training, teaching young learners, or teaching online.
The course includes modules on:
- Lesson planning
- Teaching vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar
- How to teach listening and reading
- How to teach oral and written expression
- Using materials and resources in class
Because the online TEFL level 5 course The TEFL Academy is of the same level as a CELTA certification, it will be widely accepted no matter where you hope to teach.
Cost of 168 hour course with TEFL Academy
The cost is $660 but it is often discounted on their website. (It is currently 60% offwhich brings the cost down to $220).
If price is an important factor for you, be sure to check the course description page for the latest price before making a decision.
Your course fee includes the 168-hour TEFL training, a free 30-hour bonus course, 6 months of course access, weekly 1-hour webinars, international job site access, virtual tutor support and much more.
Combined TEFL level 5 course (168 hours)
The second TEFL Level 5 course you can take with the TEFL Academy is a combined program.
In the combined course, you will complete 148 hours of online TEFL training and then participate in a 2-day in-person training session for 20 hours. Your total certification will cover 168 hours of coursework.
As with the fully online option, participants will also benefit from a free 30-hour specialist course in their chosen field.
With the combined course, you will have access to your online training materials immediately after registering. The TEFL Academy will also give you information on how to register for your in-person training days.
During the training days, you will have the opportunity to practice your teaching skills, classroom management skills and receive feedback from your peers.
Cost of 168 hour combined course with TEFL Academy
The cost of this course is $1,100, but it is often discounted. Right now it’s marked down to $441. This includes online TEFL course materials and 20 hours of in-person training spanning two days.
If there are no in-person training centers near you, you may also need to consider accommodation and transportation costs. Click here to learn more about the options available with the TEFL Academy
3. International TEFL Academy
The International TEFL Academy program and courses are regulated by Ofqual and are of very high quality. This is the company I chose for my TEFL certification.
I was able to complete the TEFL Level 5 course online while working full time. I was working to save money on travel while getting certified to teach. I then taught English online for many years, while traveling the world.
There are many things that set the ITA apart from other Level 5 TEFL courses, but the main highlights are the guaranteed job search or placement guidance, and the fact that there is a large alumni community – many of these people have become my best travel friends!
ITA also provides its prospective teachers with an admissions advisor who will help you make decisions and achieve your TEFL goals.
Level 5 online course (4 weeks or 11 weeks)
International TEFL Academy Offers two online course optionsboth of which offer approximately 170 hours of training. Depending on the time you have available, you can choose the 4-week intensive option or the 11-week part-time option.
Both courses include live office hours with your instructor and peer participation with other students in the course. You’ll also receive lifelong job search advice, live, hands-on teaching to gain experience practical experience and, of course, the OFQUAL level 5 accreditation of TQUK. Learn more about online courses here.
Level 5 in-person course
If you’re traveling or want to live somewhere, why not take a TEFL course in that destination?! With the International TEFL Academy, you can join a TEFL course in over 20 destinations around the world.
Choose from places like Chiang Mai in Thailand, Chicago and New York in the United States, or somewhere in Europe like Barcelona, Florence or Prague. All offer job search advice, live internships, and college-level instructors (and much more).
Cost of courses with ITA
ITA online courses cost between $1,499 and $1,999. Currently they are $300 off. Click here for more details on level 5 online courses. The cost of these 4-week courses varies depending on location. Click here for more details on in-person TEFL Level 5 courses.
4. i-to-i TEFL
TEFL i-to-i Level 5 courses are regulated by Ofqual and accredited by the Open and Distance Education Quality Council. You can choose from three different certification packages which are explained in detail below.
TEFL level 5 course online (180 hours, 300 hours or 420 hours)
The 180-hour i-to-i TEFL training will help you build a solid foundation in teaching while We achieve a renowned Level 5 TEFL certification.
Designed for people who want to go beyond 180 hours of TEFL training, the 300-hour TEFL Level 5 diploma course is also completely online. The 300-hour course includes the entire 180-hour course plus a 60-hour add-on module on Teaching Business English.
To go further, you can join the 420 hour course (which is the most popular).
Although all three of these options are online, students will receive feedback and support from virtual tutors as needed.
Cost of 180, 300 and 420 hour courses with i-to-i TEFL
Keep in mind that i-to-i TEFL often offers big discounts on its courses, so it’s worth going to its website to see what the current offers are. (For example, as I write this, all courses are reduced 70%
5. First TEFL
Premier TEFL’s Level 5 TEFL course is regulated by Ofqual and accredited by the Distance Education Accreditation Council. UK Training Qualifications has also approved Premier TEFL as a training center.
Premier TEFL Level 5 Course
Premier TEFL offers 180-hour, 240-hour, and 300-hour TEFL Level 5 courses that can be taken entirely online.
You will learn about the general philosophy of teaching as well as how to teach students grammar, speaking, reading, writing and pronunciation.
The courses also cover lesson planning tips and how to use teaching resources in your classroom. You will leave your class feeling better prepared and more confident in your teaching abilities.
Plus, you have access to live Zoom classes (if you want), a 30-hour Business English course, 10 pre-written lesson plans, and much more.
Cost of 180 hour course with Premier TEFL
The cost is around $670. Check out their website for discounts and promotions. They are currently at a reduced price at $200.
6. The TEFL organization
Level 5 courses offered by The TEFL organization are regulated by Ofqual and accredited by the British Accreditation Council. Currently, they offer a self-paced online course as well as a combination of online courses with virtual practice sessions.
Level 5 online course (168 hours)
The TEFL Org offers a fully online 168-hour TEFL course at a reasonable price.
In addition to providing information on how to teach basic concepts to English learners, this course includes entire modules devoted to teaching over the phone and teaching in large classes.
The TEFL Org also includes a module with video observations so you can see what lessons are like in real life. Several student comments highlighted how helpful it was to see what they were learning put into practice in real classrooms.
They created this course for students who were looking for more in-depth knowledge of TEFL. Although their traditional 120-hour TEFL course is still very popular, this course is a great option for aspiring teachers who want a more rigorous degree.
Cost of 168 hour course with org TEFL
The course costs around $650 but is frequently available at a discounted rate on their website. Level 5 courses are currently 60% off.
Combined level 5 course (188 hours)
The TEFL Org also offers a combination of online and practical courses with a Level 5 distinction. The unique feature of this option is that the practical training component can be completed virtually.
While it’s ideal to practice teaching skills face-to-face, TEFL Org understands that not everyone can make time for a full-day training.
If you have a busy schedule or don’t live in an area with nearby TEFL training centers, this could be a great way to get personalized feedback without missing work or spending a ton of money on travel.
When you sign up for the combo course, you will receive instant access to the 168-hour online TEFL course mentioned above. You will also be able to register for an additional 20-hour virtual classroom course.
Virtual classroom courses are offered weekly on a rolling basis, so you can choose the time and dates that best suit your schedule. You will meet for four days for live sessions, so it is important to make sure you can attend each meeting.
188 hour combined course cost with org TEFL
The combined course costs $749. This includes the full 168-hour online course and the 20-hour virtual classroom component. You will also receive a reference letter from your virtual classroom teacher. Check the website as classes often have discounts. Classes are currently 60% off.
7. TEFL Institute of Ireland
This company offers a TEFL level 5 of 180 hours. They are approved and regulated by Ofqual and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Distance Education.
Level 5 regulated online courses (180 hours, 240 hours, 300 hours)
The TEFL Institute of Ireland offers three Level 5 TEFL training courses. The 180-hour course will introduce you to the fundamentals of becoming a teacher and best practices for your classroom.
This course alone will prepare and qualify you for many teaching jobs abroad, but if you want to learn more about other specializations, there are two other courses to consider.
The 240-hour course includes the entire 180-hour TEFL course plus additional training for teaching English exam preparation.
This course includes a 30 hour module to help students prepare for IELTS exam and a 30-hour module to help students prepare for TOEIC exam.
This training could make you more desirable as an instructor or private tutor around the world, as many English learners want to prepare for these important tests. Especially if you’re hoping to teach English as a freelancer, having some training in exam preparation could help you attract more clients.
You can also choose to go further with the 300 hour TEFL Level 5 course.
This online course includes the entire 240 hour course with an additional 30 hour module for teaching Business English and an additional 30 hour module for teaching young learners.
Cost of 180, 240 and 300 hour course with TEFL Institute of Ireland:
TEFL Institute of Ireland courses often have discounts. Currently, they are 60% off, with the 180-hour Level 5 course priced at $229. Click here to learn more.
FAQ: Taking a Level 5 TEFL course
Is TEFL level 5 equivalent to CELTA?
No, a TEFL level 5 is not equivalent to the CELTA. There are, however, some similarities. A Level 5 TEFL certificate must meet the same standards as a CELTA Or TrinityCertTESOL certification. Both are Level 5 qualifications, meaning they are the same level of difficulty. But the method of delivery and the content of the two certifications are in reality very different.
A TEFL Level 5 is more affordable than a CELTA certificate and takes less time, making a Level 5 certification more attractive to teachers.
Do I need a TEFL level 5?
If you want to teach English at home (for example, in the UK, US or Canada), having a TEFL level 5 will give you a head start on your CV. If you want to teach abroad, a TEFL of 120 hours will usually be sufficient. A Level 5 goes in more depth than a regular 120 hour TEFL and is a great option if you’re new to teaching and want a little more information in order to be a confident teacher.
How much does a TEFL level 5 cost?
The TEFL Academy frequently offers 60% off its courses, as well as free online learning materials and access to webinars. Prices typically start at $250 and up for a Level 5 TEFL certification. If you’re looking for a high-quality Level 5 TEFL, with employment assistance or guaranteed job placement, International TEFL Academy is a good option.
Is a Level 5 TEFL Certification Right for Me?
Although a basic 120-hour TEFL will qualify you for most teaching jobs abroad, having a Level 5 course under your belt could make your application stand out to employers and apply for more competitive opportunities. Consider your budget, your timeline, and the types of jobs you hope to do in the future. Regardless of which course you choose, obtaining TEFL certification will provide you with countless opportunities to work and travel around the world. A Level 5 certification course is a great option for those who want to get an advanced degree without having to pay a high price.
How long does a TEFL level 5 course take?
170 to 420 hours depending on the course you take! Some online TEFL level 5 courses can be taken part-time, while others are more intensive. Choose a class whose times fit your schedule.
Is TEFL level 5 difficult?
No, getting a TEFL Level 5 certification is not difficult. If you are motivated to learn how to be the best teacher you can be and have the time, you will be able to succeed in your course.
