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Teaching and childcare On the Ofqual register · 601/2731/4Level 3From £49.99/mo paying today

Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF)

Start with the Level 3 Certificate if you are new to school support: it is the shorter of the two Level 3 teaching assistant qualifications. The TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (601/2731/4) has 11 units, is portfolio assessed with no exams and takes 6 to 9 months, alongside 12 hours a week in school.

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Updated

Ready for the full qualification? The Level 3 teaching assistant course (Diploma) covers all 14 units and 44 credits, against 32 here, and takes 12 to 15 months.

Course facts
QualificationTQUK Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF)
LevelLevel 3
Awarding bodyTQUK (Training Qualifications UK)
Qualification number601/2731/4
ExamsPortfolio of evidence, no exams
Price£449.99 a year or £49.99 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 £59.99 a month or £611.99 a year.
Typical duration6 to 9 months
Age16 or over
Who it suitsWant a teaching assistant, classroom assistant, learning support, additional needs, pastoral or welfare, bilingual support or foundation stage assistant role
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 601/2731/4.
32credits
Level 3 on the RQF180 guided learning hours. No exams, portfolio of evidence.
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TQUK
Regulated
qualification
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£449.99/year · Full course with all fees included · £37.50 a month

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14-day money back on every payment
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No credit check
Certificate issued by TQUK on completion
Careers and pay

What a teaching assistant is paid

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.

full-time equivalent, SCP 3 to 6, 2026/27£25,614 to £26,847Teaching assistant, Level 2

Entry-grade points most schools use for Level 1 and 2 TAs. Term-time-only posts are paid pro rata.

Level 3 TA, NJC points 3 to 9£25,614 to £28,153Teaching assistant, Level 3

NJC points 3 to 9, £25,614 to £28,153 full-time equivalent from 1 April 2026; councils grade TA roles differently and most TAs are paid pro rata for term-time hours.

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. NJC Local Government Services Pay Agreement 2026

How paying works

Try it free. Stay while it works for you. Leave whenever you like.

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 pay today? Skip the trial and save up to 17%, with your price fixed for life, with the same 14-day guarantee.

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

  • Want a teaching assistant, classroom assistant, learning support, additional needs, pastoral or welfare, bilingual support or foundation stage assistant role
  • Are working or volunteering in a school for at least 12 hours a week, paid or unpaid
  • Are 16 or over, with Level 2 literacy or equivalent recommended and no formal entry qualifications required
  • Prefer portfolio assessment, with a pass only and no grading
  • Want to progress to the Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF)
Honest about who it is not for

Think again if

  • You cannot work or volunteer in a school for at least 12 hours a week; the Certificate contains competence based units
  • You already want the specialist diploma; that is the Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF), the next step after this Certificate
  • You need an early years qualification for nursery ratios; this Certificate is for school support roles under the direction of a class teacher
At least 12 hours a week in a school

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.

  • Paid or voluntary work in a school, at least 12 hours a week
  • A Disclosure and Barring Service check may be required by the employer
  • A workplace witness who can confirm what you did
  • Not in a school yet? Ask an adviser about volunteering routes before you enrol
  • Your setting may require you to be 18 for an enhanced DBS check or lone working.
Progression

From classroom support to teaching

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.

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

Classroom support. 32 credits, at least 12 hours a week in school.

From £59.99/moLevel 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

Eleven mandatory units

32 credits from 11 mandatory units. No optional units.

11 mandatory units32 credits in total180 guided learning hours
1Communication and professional relationships with children, young people and adults (F/601/3327)
2 credits

How to communicate with pupils and adults, adapt to age and need, and keep information confidential. 2 credits, 10 guided learning hours.

2Schools as organisations (A/601/3326)
3 credits

School types, governance, policies and the wider agencies schools work with. 3 credits, 15 guided learning hours.

3Understand child and young person development (L/601/1693)
4 credits

Development from birth to 19, the influences on it, and how to support transitions. 4 credits, 30 guided learning hours.

4Understand how to safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people (Y/601/1695)
3 credits

Legislation, signs of abuse, online safety and how to respond to concerns. 3 credits, 25 guided learning hours.

5Support assessment for learning (A/601/4072)
4 credits

Using assessment to support learning and giving pupils feedback. 4 credits, 20 guided learning hours.

6Support learning activities (F/601/4073)
4 credits

Planning with the teacher, delivering activities and evaluating them. 4 credits, 20 guided learning hours.

7Engage in personal development in health, social care or children's and young people's settings (A/601/1429)
3 credits

Reflecting on your own practice and planning your development. 3 credits, 10 guided learning hours.

8Promote children and young people's positive behaviour (A/601/4069)
3 credits

Behaviour policies, promoting positive behaviour and responding to inappropriate behaviour. 3 credits, 15 guided learning hours.

9Support children and young people's health and safety (D/601/1696)
2 credits

Risk assessment, accidents and emergencies, and health and safety practice. 2 credits, 15 guided learning hours.

10Develop professional relationships with children, young people and adults (H/601/4065)
2 credits

Building relationships and working as part of the school team. 2 credits, 10 guided learning hours.

11Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people (M/601/4070)
2 credits

Legislation and practice that supports every pupil's participation. 2 credits, 10 guided learning hours.

Assessment

How is the Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning assessed?

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.

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 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning 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 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF) prices at Lift College
Full course with all fees included
Pay today, yearlyBest value3 months free, fixed for life£449.99 a yearthat is £37.50 a month
Pay today, monthly£10 a month less than after a trial£49.99 a month
7-day free trial first£0 today, first payment on day 8£59.99 a monthor £611.99 a year
  • 14-day money back
  • No contract
  • No credit check
  • No finance agreement
  • Cancel any time

How the cost compares

UK Open College, Oxbridge Home Learning and NCC Home Learning charge £389 to £499 for the course, paid in full or in instalments. With Lift College you can start for £0 today, and a full year is £449.99 when you pay today.

Full Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF) course fees (not sale prices), from each provider's own website on 22 October 2026
ProviderCourse feeHow you pay
Lift College Lowest cost to start£449.99for 12 months, paid today, every fee and your TQUK certificate included£0 today on the 7-day free trial. Monthly or yearly, no contract, no credit check, cancel any time
UK Open College£499Course fee
Oxbridge Home Learning£390Course fee
NCC Home Learning£389Pay in full, online study

Lift College's price includes every fee and your TQUK certificate.

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.

Read more on Trustpilot
Simon G.A Level Psychology · 11 Nov 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
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
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Questions

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning cost?

The Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning with Lift College is £449.99 a year or £49.99 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 £59.99 a month or £611.99 a year. Every fee is included: tutor, TQUK registration and certificate. There is no contract and no credit check, and every payment is covered by the 14-day money back guarantee. Compare other providers in our guide to the best online teaching assistant courses.

Is there a Level 2 teaching assistant course?

Yes. Lift College runs the TQUK Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools (RQF), a level 2 teaching assistant course online with no exams and no school placement, studied in 3 to 6 months. If you are already working or volunteering in a school for at least 12 hours a week, start with this Level 3 Certificate instead: it has no formal entry requirement, is open from age 16, and sits at the level schools ask for in support staff adverts. The Level 3 Diploma is the step after it.

Do I need a Level 2 teaching assistant qualification first?

No. The Level 3 Certificate has no formal entry requirement. Level 2 literacy or equivalent is recommended, you need to be 16 or over, and you need at least 12 hours a week in a school. It is the level schools ask for, so there is no need to take Level 2 first.

Is the Level 3 Certificate equivalent to an A level?

It sits at Level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework, the same level as A levels, with 32 credits. It is a vocational qualification assessed by portfolio in a school rather than an academic one, so it is the level schools ask for in teaching assistant adverts rather than a route to university on its own.

What is the Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning?

The 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.

Can I study this certificate online?

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.

Do I need a school placement?

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.

How is the certificate assessed?

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.

Not sure if Level 3 Certificate (Supporting Teaching and Learning) is right for you?

A UK adviser calls you back within 2 working hours, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. No sales script.