TQUK Explained: Exam Board, Levels & Equivalents

What is TQUK?

TQUK, Training Qualifications UK, is a vocational awarding organisation founded in Manchester in 2013. It is quality-assured by Ofqual in England and the relevant regulatory bodies in Wales and Northern Ireland. According to Ofqual's quarterly statistics, TQUK has ranked consistently among the top ten largest awarding organisations in the UK since 2018.

TQUK offers qualifications from Level 1 through to Level 7, with a particular focus on education and training, health and social care, business and management, and childcare. Its qualifications are used by colleges, training providers, employers, and online distance learning providers across the UK.

What qualifications does TQUK offer?

TQUK's qualification portfolio is broad, but its most recognised qualifications sit within these sectors:

• Education and Training, including the Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET), Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET), and Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET)
• Supporting Teaching and Learning, Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications for teaching assistants and school support staff
• Health and Social Care, Level 2 and Level 3 diplomas covering care settings, safeguarding, and health promotion
• Business and Management, Level 3 and Level 5 management qualifications
• Safeguarding and Wellbeing, specialist units and qualifications used in education, healthcare, and the voluntary sector

What is a TQUK Level 2 equivalent to?

A TQUK Level 2 qualification sits at the same level on the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) as a GCSE at grades 9 to 4 (the old A* to C). It is also the same level as a BTEC Level 2, an NCFE Level 2, an OCR Level 2 award, and a Cambridge Nationals Level 2. That means employers, universities, and colleges treat a TQUK Level 2 pass as broadly comparable to a good GCSE pass in the same subject.

The RQF level tells you the demand and complexity of the qualification, not the volume of study. A TQUK Level 2 Certificate typically requires more guided learning hours than a Level 2 Award but sits at the same difficulty. So when you see a TQUK Level 2 Award, Certificate, or Diploma listed as "equivalent to GCSE", it is the level that matches, not the exact size or teaching time.

TQUK Level 3 Award in Education and Training

The Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) is one of the most widely taken TQUK qualifications and one of the most common entry points for people entering the education and training sector. It is designed for those who are new to teaching, training, or instructing in any setting, classroom, workplace, community, or online.

The AET is a small qualification (three credits at Level 3) and can typically be completed in four to eight weeks of part-time study. It does not require prior teaching experience and is assessed through a combination of reflective written tasks and, in some versions, observed micro-teaching. It is widely accepted as a minimum qualification for education and training roles in the FE sector.

TQUK and the Regulated Qualifications Framework

All TQUK qualifications are on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications, meaning they are formally part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). This gives them national recognition and ensures consistent standards across all providers delivering the same qualification.

Employers and UCAS apply the RQF level system to TQUK qualifications just as they do to qualifications from other awarding bodies. A TQUK Level 3 qualification is equivalent in level to an A level or Access to HE Diploma, and a TQUK Level 5 qualification sits at the same level as a foundation degree.

Who should choose a TQUK qualification?

TQUK qualifications are particularly well suited to:

• Adults entering or progressing in education, training, or school-based roles
• Healthcare and social care professionals building on foundational knowledge
• Managers and supervisors seeking vocational management qualifications
• Individuals wanting a recognised vocational qualification that can be completed through online distance learning

For those specifically interested in teaching assistant roles, the TQUK Level 3 Award or Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools is a widely accepted qualification for school applications. Browse the range of TQUK-validated qualifications at Lift College to find a programme that matches your career goals.