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Teaching and childcare On the Ofqual register · 603/1432/1Level 4From £59.99/mo paying today

Level 4 HLTA Certificate (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) (RQF)

The Level 4 teaching assistant qualification is the TQUK Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants (603/1432/1): 36 credits from 7 mandatory units, assessed by a portfolio with no exams, usually 9 to 12 months at 6 to 10 hours a week, for teaching assistants aged 16 or over working or volunteering in a school.

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Course facts
QualificationTQUK Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants (RQF)
LevelLevel 4
Awarding bodyTQUK (Training Qualifications UK)
Qualification number603/1432/1
ExamsPortfolio of evidence, no exams
Price£539.99 a year or £59.99 a month when you pay today: pay for 9 months, get 3 free, price fixed for life. Prefer to try it first? Free for 7 days, then £69.99 a month or £713.99 a year.
Typical duration9 to 12 months
Age16 or over
Who it suitsAre an experienced teaching assistant ready to cover classes and lead interventions
How you are assessed£0 today. Nothing is charged until day 8. Cancel any time from your account.
TQUK
Awarded by TQUKTraining Qualifications UK, an Ofqual recognised awarding organisation. Qualification number 603/1432/1.
36credits
Level 4 on the RQF87 guided learning hours. No exams, portfolio of evidence.
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Independent reviewsEvery review on our Trustpilot page is from a Lift College learner.
TQUK
Regulated
qualification
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£539.99/year · Full course with all fees included · £45.00 a month

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Certificate issued by TQUK on completion
Careers and pay

What an HLTA is paid

Two views: the NJC pay spine points schools use for HLTA grades, and what HLTAs actually earn across the UK according to the Office for National Statistics.

HLTA upper range, SCP 24 to 25£36,581 to £37,563Higher level teaching assistant

HLTA grades run from about SCP 12 upwards; the upper range is shown.

median, full time, UK, 2025£25,434Higher level teaching assistant

Actual pay across all HLTA jobs, including term time only.

Senior TA and HLTA entry, SCP 12 to 13£29,542 to £30,023Senior teaching assistant

Leads interventions and small groups. Usual step before HLTA.

NJC pay spine 2026/27, full time equivalent. Full time equivalent salaries per spinal column point. Which points a school uses is set locally; most TA posts are term time only and paid pro rata. England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Checked 24 September 2026. ONS ASHE 2025 (provisional), full time median. Full time employee jobs, UK, median gross annual pay for the April 2025 survey year. Provisional. Medians are ONS's preferred measure. 'x' means ONS suppressed the estimate. Checked 24 September 2026.

How paying works

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The Lift College promise

You never sign a credit agreement with us, so there is no debt and nothing for anyone to chase. If you stop paying, you simply stop studying. No finance company, no loan and no letters.

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Who this is for

This course is for you if

  • Are an experienced teaching assistant ready to cover classes and lead interventions
  • Want a regulated Level 4 qualification built on the HLTA standards
  • Can complete at least 50 hours in a relevant role in school while you study
  • Prefer portfolio assessment to exams
  • Are 16 or over; Level 2 English and maths recommended
Honest about who it is not for

Think again if

At least 50 hours in a relevant role

Learners must complete a minimum of 50 hours work/work placement in a relevant role as part of the achievement of the qualification.

  • Working or volunteering as a teaching assistant, paid or voluntary
  • Observation or witness testimony for the practice units (5, 6 and 7)
  • An enhanced DBS check, arranged by the school
  • Already an experienced TA? Your existing role counts
  • Your setting may require you to be 18 for an enhanced DBS check or lone working.
Video explainer

What Is an HLTA, and Does It Pay More Than a TA?

The short answer: an HLTA does everything a teaching assistant does, plus leading classes under a teacher's direction. HLTAs plan with teachers, lead interventions and support individual learners and groups. HLTA is not a teaching qualification, and the teacher keeps professional accountability for the class. Watch the short explainer, then read on for the details.

HLTA is often called a Level 4 teaching assistant: see where it sits in our teaching assistant levels 1 to 4 table.

2 min 48 sLift College on YouTube
Prefer to read? See how you are assessed
Progression

From Level 3 to teacher training

HLTA sits between the Level 3 teaching assistant qualification and a teaching qualification.

Level 3Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF)

The Level 3 diploma. 44 credits, in school.

From £69.99/moLevel 4Level 4 HLTA Certificate (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) (RQF)

Lead classes under teacher direction. 36 credits, 50 hours of practice.

From £69.99/moLevel 5Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education) (RQF)

Teach post 16. 120 credits, 250 placement hours.

From £89.99/mo
What you'll study

Seven mandatory units

36 credits from 7 mandatory units. No optional units.

The certificate is mapped to the 33 national HLTA standards, covering the knowledge standards (8 to 16) and the planning, monitoring and teaching skills (17 to 33) assessed for HLTA status.

7 mandatory units36 credits in total87 guided learning hours
1Understand the higher level teaching assistant role (M/615/7083)
4 credits

4 credits, 12 guided learning hours.

2Child development and welfare (T/615/7084)
4 credits

4 credits, 12 guided learning hours.

3Awareness of special educational needs (A/615/7085)
4 credits

4 credits, 13 guided learning hours.

4Promoting positive behaviour in children and young people (F/615/7086)
4 credits

4 credits, 12 guided learning hours.

5Providing support for individual learners and small groups (J/615/7087)
8 credits

8 credits, 13 guided learning hours.

6Developing skills to promote positive working relationships (L/615/7088)
4 credits

4 credits, 12 guided learning hours.

7Curriculum planning, delivery and assessment (R/615/7089)
8 credits

8 credits, 13 guided learning hours.

Assessment

How is the HLTA Level 4 certificate assessed?

There are no exams. This Ofqual regulated TQUK Level 4 certificate is a portfolio from real classroom situations, with observation or witness testimony for units 5, 6 and 7, plus written assignments for knowledge. It is marked internally and quality assured by TQUK.

Portfolio of evidence from real classroom situations including observation and/or witness testimony for units 5, 6 and 7; written assignments and questions for knowledge outcomes. Internally marked, externally quality assured by TQUK.

Step 1Learn the unit

Work through the unit online with your named UK tutor.

Step 2Gather evidence in the setting

Observation, witness statements, work products and reflective accounts from your real workplace.

Step 3Submit, get feedback, certify

Marked in 5 to 7 working days. Pass or refer. Resubmit until every criterion is met. Your certificate comes from TQUK.

TQUK
Your certificate

Your certificate comes from TQUK

Training Qualifications UK issues the certificate. Lift College teaches the course and TQUK awards it.

1
Lift College is a TQUK recognised centre

TQUK approves the centre, the tutors who assess you and the way the course is delivered before a single learner is registered.

2
TQUK checks the marking

An external quality assurer from TQUK samples assessed work from Lift College learners. Your result stands because TQUK has agreed it, not just your tutor.

3
TQUK issues and verifies your certificate

Your certificate is printed by TQUK with a unique number. Any employer or university can confirm it is real on TQUK's certificate verification service. TQUK certificate verification

Study support

A named UK tutor from enrolment to your certificate

Your named tutor

The same UK tutor supports you from enrolment through to your certificate.

Marked work

Marked in 5 to 7 working days.

Progress you can see

Your dashboard shows what you have completed and what comes next.

Resubmit at no extra cost

If a unit is referred, you resubmit at no extra cost until every criterion is met.

What Level 4 HLTA Certificate (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) (RQF) costs online

Pay today, pay for 9 months and get 3 free, with your price fixed for life. Pay monthly and start today for £10 a month less than after a trial. Prefer to try it first? Start for £0 today on the 7-day free trial.

Level 4 HLTA Certificate (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) (RQF) prices at Lift College
Full course with all fees included
Pay today, yearlyBest value3 months free, fixed for life£539.99 a yearthat is £45.00 a month
Pay today, monthly£10 a month less than after a trial£59.99 a month
7-day free trial first£0 today, first payment on day 8£69.99 a monthor £713.99 a year
  • 14-day money back
  • No contract
  • No credit check
  • No finance agreement
  • Cancel any time

How the cost compares

Open Study College and UK Open College charge £525 to £599 for the course, paid in full or in instalments. With Lift College you can start for £0 today, and a full year is £539.99 when you pay today.

Full Level 4 HLTA Certificate (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) (RQF) course fees (not sale prices), from each provider's own website on 21 October 2026
ProviderCourse feeHow you pay
Lift College Lowest cost to start£539.99for 12 months, paid today, TQUK registration and certificate included£0 today on the 7-day free trial. Monthly or yearly, no contract, no credit check, cancel any time
Open Study College£599In full, 3 payments with Klarna or PayPal, or monthly Direct Debit
UK Open College£525Course fee

Lift College's price includes your TQUK registration and certificate. Our guide to the best online HLTA courses compares this with four other providers.

Learner reviews

What our learners say

Six of our latest reviews, as posted on Trustpilot.

See all our reviews onTrustpilot
5 out of 5 · Verified

A Level Psychology On Line Course Lift College

I have enrolled on this on line course and the support/response to queries that I have received to date have been timely and effective. The college also provides a learning plan to comlete the course and mock exams, together with helpful reminders of allocated study days (you self select them and they send you a reminder to keep you on track). The modules are clear and easy to understand and a broken down into sections including question and answer sections and model answers and where applicable worked out calculations. There is a need to take notes from the online materials as there are no PDF work books to download. The assigments are completed in a text box and marked accordingly and saved into your records. Once you get used to using the learning portal (which is not too difficult) it is a fairly straightforward learning process. It is worth paying the money for this course and the level of support provided by the college.

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Simon G.A Level Psychology · 11 Nov 2026
5 out of 5 · Verified

Lift College is very flexible

Lift College is very flexible, allowing me to study GCSE Biology while working full time. The course is straightforward and include helpful tips for passing the exams.

LalaineGCSE Biology · 2 Nov 2026
5 out of 5

I have just enrolled with Lift College

I have just enrolled with Lift College today on a free trial. So far so good, I have accessed my course (GCSE Maths) on my platform and everything looks great. Also met my tutor who is very friendly and helpful too. Will update the reviews when I am further down the line.

Read more on Trustpilot
Paul S.GCSE Maths · 2 Sep 2026
5 out of 5

Prompt Assignment Feedback

I have been studying with Lift College for the past month, and so far, my experience has been positive. The team provides excellent support, and assignments are marked with helpful feedback, usually within three working days. This quick turnaround is particularly valuable as it helps me manage my studies alongside my workplace commitments.

Read more on Trustpilot
ChinthakaLift College learner · 11 Nov 2026
5 out of 5 · Verified

Clearly structured and designed for learning

I recently started the CMI Level 5 course through Lift College. I was attracted to this provider due to the clean and modern design of their website. I asked the support staff a few questions before enrolling, and their responses were fast and informative. When I started the course, I was impressed by how well organised the material was and how the lessons were structured. I have taken many online courses before, including postgraduate courses from UK universities. What I expected was a few videos made using a webcam, plus several dozen PDF files that had to be read. However, the materials provided by Lift College are of excellent quality, well designed, and purpose-made. As a teacher myself with 20 years' experience, I recognised clear and deliberate efforts to help students learn more effectively. Lift College isn't just giving you a load of reading material and letting you get on with it. They have designed prompts, revision boxes, spot quizzes, and other features to ensure that learning is actively facilitated.

Read more on Trustpilot
Derek H.CMI Level 5 · 6 Nov 2026
5 out of 5

Excellent customer service

Excellent customer service and the enrolment process was very smooth. Started my course three weeks ago and I’m loving it.

George B.Lift College learner · 6 Nov 2026
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Questions

Frequently asked questions

How much does the HLTA course cost?

The Level 4 HLTA Certificate (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) (RQF) with Lift College is £539.99 a year or £59.99 a month when you pay today: pay for 9 months and get 3 free, with your price fixed for life. Or start for £0 today on the 7-day free trial, then £69.99 a month or £713.99 a year. Your tutor, TQUK registration and certificate are included, with no contract, no credit check and a 14-day money back guarantee on every payment. Our guide to the best online HLTA courses compares this with four other providers.

Do I need the Level 3 Diploma before the HLTA course?

No. There are no formal entry qualifications: you need to be 16 or over, working or volunteering as a teaching assistant, with Level 2 English and maths recommended. Most learners arrive with a Level 3 qualification and classroom experience, which is also what schools expect before putting someone forward for HLTA status.

How long do I have to finish the HLTA course?

There is no fixed deadline. Most learners finish in 9 to 12 months. You pay monthly for life, and you can pause or cancel from your account at any time.

Which online HLTA course should I choose?

Choose an Ofqual regulated Level 4 HLTA certificate you can study online while you work in a school, such as Lift College's TQUK Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants (RQF), qualification number 603/1432/1. Before you pick a provider, check four things: the qualification number is on the Ofqual register, you can evidence at least 50 hours in a teaching assistant role in your own school, there is a named tutor to mark your portfolio, and the full price is clear. Lift College's course is from £59.99 a month when you pay today, or £69.99 a month after a 7-day free trial, with a named UK tutor, portfolio assessment and no exams, over 9 to 12 months. Our guide to the best online HLTA courses compares it with four other providers.

Can I get an HLTA qualification online?

Yes. The HLTA qualification Lift College teaches online is the TQUK Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants (RQF), qualification number 603/1432/1, studied with a named UK tutor from £59.99 a month when you pay today, or £69.99 a month after a 7-day free trial. You need at least 50 hours in a teaching assistant role in school, paid or voluntary, where units 5, 6 and 7 are observed or witnessed, and it is assessed by portfolio with no exams. HLTA status is separate: it is assessed against the same 33 HLTA standards by the HLTA National Assessment Partnership's regional providers.

Is this HLTA training for HLTA status?

It prepares you for HLTA status. This HLTA training is the TQUK Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants, built on the 33 HLTA standards. HLTA status itself is assessed separately by the HLTA National Assessment Partnership's regional providers, once your school puts you forward.

What is a higher level teaching assistant course?

It is a Level 4 course for experienced teaching assistants ready to lead classes and interventions. Lift College's higher level teaching assistant course is the TQUK Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants (RQF), 603/1432/1: 7 mandatory units and 36 credits, studied online with a named UK tutor over 9 to 12 months and assessed by portfolio, with no exams.

Is level 4 teaching assistant the same as HLTA?

Not quite. The Level 4 teaching assistant qualification, the TQUK Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants, is a regulated qualification built on the 33 HLTA standards. HLTA status is a separate professional status, assessed against the same standards by the HLTA National Assessment Partnership's regional providers.

Not sure if Level 4 HLTA is right for you?

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