The TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools is the classroom support qualification for teaching assistants and related school roles. Study online with a named UK tutor, work or volunteer in a school for at least 12 hours a week, and receive your TQUK certificate when every learning outcome is met.
Most school support staff in England are paid on the NJC pay spine. These are the full-time equivalent salaries for the points schools typically use, from the 2026/27 award.
Entry-grade points most schools use for Level 1 and 2 TAs. Term-time-only posts are paid pro rata.
Points typically used for Level 3 TAs. Term-time-only posts are paid pro rata.
Leads interventions and small groups. Usual step before HLTA.
Prefer nursery or early years? See the Level 3 Early Years Educator.
| Level 3 Certificate | classroom support, 12 hours a week in school |
| Level 3 Teaching Assistant Diploma | deepen practice |
| HLTA Level 4 | lead classes, higher pay band |
| Level 5 Diploma in Teaching FE & Skills | teach post-16 |
| CAVA L3 | assessor branch |
There is no course fee to find, no finance agreement to sign and no debt to worry about. Your first 7 days are free, then you pay for the month you are in, and every payment is covered by the 14-day money back guarantee. Prefer to start now? Pay today instead of taking the trial and every payment is 15% lower for life, with the same 14-day guarantee.
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.
The Certificate contains competence based units, so learners must be working or volunteering in a school for at least 12 hours a week. This can include voluntary and unpaid work.
The Certificate is the school support qualification. The Level 3 Diploma, the Level 4 HLTA certificate and the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching follow. Each step is its own TQUK qualification.
Classroom support. 32 credits, at least 12 hours a week in school.
From £49.99/moLevel 3Level 3 Teaching AssistantThe Level 3 diploma. 44 credits, in school.
From £59.99/moLevel 4Level 4 HLTALead classes under teacher direction. 36 credits, 50 hours of practice.
From £59.99/moLevel 5Level 5 Diploma in TeachingTeach post-16. 120 credits, 250 placement hours.
From £79.99/mo32 credits from 11 mandatory units. No optional units.
There are no exams. This Ofqual-regulated TQUK Level 3 certificate is a portfolio of evidence, marked internally and quality assured by TQUK. Every learning outcome must be met. Grading is pass only. Several units are assessed in the school where you work or volunteer for at least 12 hours a week.
Internally set and marked, externally quality assured by TQUK. All learning outcomes must be met.
Work through the unit online with your named UK tutor.
Observation, witness statements, work products and reflective accounts from your real workplace.
Marked in 5 to 7 working days. Pass or refer. Resubmit until every criterion is met. Your certificate comes from TQUK.
Yes. You study this Ofqual-regulated TQUK Level 3 certificate online with a named UK tutor. You still need to be working or volunteering in a school for at least 12 hours a week, because competence units are assessed in the workplace. There are no exams. Grading is pass only.
Training Qualifications UK issues the certificate. Lift College teaches the course and TQUK awards it.
TQUK's stated goal: Be number one in technical education
certificates issued since 2013
qualifications across more than 20 sectors
employers use TQUK for apprenticeship assessment
Figures from tquk.org, September 2026. TQUK, Crossgate House, Sale, Manchester. Recognised by Ofqual, the qualifications regulator for England.
TQUK approves the centre, the tutors who assess you and the way the course is delivered before a single learner is registered.
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.
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
The same UK tutor supports you from enrolment through to your certificate.
Marked in 5 to 7 working days.
Your dashboard shows what you have completed and what comes next.
If a unit is referred, you resubmit at no extra cost until every criterion is met.
One price for the full course, with every fee included. Try it free for 7 days, or start now and every payment is 15% lower for life.
Full access for 7 days. Your first payment is on day 8, and you can cancel any time before then from your account.
£49.99/month from day 8
£0 today
Start 7-day free trial14-day money back guarantee. Request a refund within 14 days of any payment.
Skip the trial and pay today. Every payment is 15% lower for as long as you study.
£49.99£42.49/month, for life
£42.49 today
Start now and pay £42.4914-day money back guarantee. Request a refund within 14 days of any payment.
“I am a mature learner in my late 40s and was genuinely worried the online study would not suit me. I could not have been more wrong. The course materials were clear, the tutor marked my assignments quickly, and the whole…”
MarcusLevel 3 Teaching Assistant Diploma“I had been working as a dinner lady for three years and decided I wanted to move into the classroom properly. My adviser at Lift College was brilliant, she explained exactly what I needed, got me enrolled within a few da…”
RachelLevel 3 Teaching Assistant Diploma“I was working in a nursery without any formal qualifications and my manager kept pushing me to get a level 3. I was nervous about going back to studying but the online format meant I could do it around my shifts. The tut…”
JadeLevel 3 Early Years EducatorThe TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools is an Ofqual-regulated qualification, number 601/2731/4. It is 32 credits from 11 mandatory units, with 180 guided learning hours and a total qualification time of 320 hours. There are no optional units. Training Qualifications UK issues the certificate, and Lift College is a TQUK recognised centre.
Yes. The certificate contains competence based units, so you must be working or volunteering in a school for at least 12 hours a week. Paid or unpaid work counts. Your employer may require a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The qualification is suitable for learners aged 16 and over, with Level 2 literacy recommended.
The next step on this page is the Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools. After that come the Level 4 HLTA certificate and the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching. The specification also names Level 2 qualifications in children's care, learning and development, play work or youth work as other routes.
One price covers the full course with every fee included: a named UK tutor, marking in 5 to 7 working days, AI Study Support, and your TQUK certificate. There is nothing extra to pay.
You need to be 16 or over. No formal entry requirements. Level 2 literacy or equivalent is recommended. Suitable for learners aged 16 and over. You must be working or volunteering in a school for at least 12 hours a week. Your setting may require you to be 18 for an enhanced DBS check or lone working.
Yes. Annual billing saves 15%: £509.99 for the year instead of £49.99 a month. The 7-day free trial and 14-day money back apply either way.
Schools advertising classroom support posts often ask for a qualification in supporting teaching and learning. This TQUK certificate is on the Ofqual register at Level 3 (601/2731/4). A school decides which qualification a post needs.
Yes. You study this Ofqual-regulated TQUK Level 3 certificate online with a named UK tutor. You must also be working or volunteering in a school for at least 12 hours a week, because the certificate contains competence based units. Assessment is a portfolio. There are no exams and no grading.
There are no exams and no grading. This Ofqual-regulated TQUK certificate is assessed by internally set and marked work, and externally quality assured by TQUK. Every learning outcome must be met to achieve a pass. You can resubmit until each criterion is met, at no extra cost.
6 to 9 months at 6 to 10 hours a week
The default is a free 7-day trial with your first payment on day 8. If you would rather start now, you pay today instead and every payment is 15% lower for as long as you study. Your 14-day money-back guarantee still applies: change your mind for any reason within 14 days and we refund the full payment.
An enhanced DBS check is normally arranged by the school. Your setting may require you to be 18 for an enhanced DBS check or lone working.
Training Qualifications UK (TQUK) issues the certificate. Lift College is a TQUK recognised centre.
A UK adviser calls you back within 2 working hours, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. No sales script.
