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Teaching and childcare On the Ofqual register · 601/4423/3Level 3From £59.99/mo paying today

Level 3 Teaching Assistant Course, online

Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF)

Yes, you can study for a Level 3 teaching assistant qualification online if you work or volunteer in a school. This is the TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (601/4423/3): 44 credits across 14 units, assessed by portfolio with no exams, usually finished in 12 to 15 months, open from age 16.

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Course facts
QualificationTQUK Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF)
LevelLevel 3
Awarding bodyTQUK (Training Qualifications UK)
Qualification number601/4423/3
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 duration12 to 15 months
Age16 or over
Who it suitsWant a Level 3 teaching assistant post, or already hold one and want the qualification schools ask for
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 601/4423/3.
44credits
Level 3 on the RQF232 guided learning hours. No exams, portfolio of evidence.
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TQUK
Regulated
qualification
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£539.99/year · Full course with all fees included · £45.00 a month

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Careers and pay

What a Level 3 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 for Level 3 teaching assistants and the roles above them, from the 2026/27 award agreed on 24 August 2026.

Level 3 TA, SCP 7 to 11£27,274 to £29,071Teaching assistant, Level 3

Points typically used for Level 3 TAs. Term time only posts are paid pro rata.

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.

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.

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.

How paying works

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

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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

  • Want a Level 3 teaching assistant post, or already hold one and want the qualification schools ask for
  • Are in a school, paid or voluntary, while you study
  • Prefer portfolio assessment to exams
  • Are 16 or over; no formal entry qualifications, Level 2 English and maths recommended
Honest about who it is not for

Think again if

  • You are not in a school and cannot arrange a placement; the practice units are observed in a real classroom
  • You want to lead whole classes now; that is the Level 4 HLTA certificate, which follows this course
  • You need a qualification for early years settings; the Early Years Educator diploma is the one the DfE lists
You need a school to study in

This is a competence qualification. Several units are observed in a real classroom and simulation is not allowed, so you need to be working or volunteering in a school while you study.

  • Paid or voluntary, primary or secondary, maintained or academy
  • An enhanced DBS check, normally arranged by the school
  • Observation of your practice by your tutor or a workplace witness; simulation is not allowed for some units
  • 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.
Video explainer

How Do You Become a Teaching Assistant with No Degree?

The short answer: no single qualification is legally required for entry level teaching assistant roles. A Level 3 qualification in supporting teaching and learning is what most schools ask for. An enhanced DBS check is required for every school role. Watch the short explainer, then read on for the details.

2 min 39 sLift College on YouTube
Prefer to read? See how you are assessed
Progression

From the Certificate to leading a class

The Level 3 Certificate is the shorter first step if you are new to school support. This diploma can follow it, or be your first course if you work or volunteer in a school. Then come the Level 4 HLTA certificate and the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching. 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

Fourteen units

44 credits from 14 units.

14 units44 credits in total232 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.

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

School types, governance, policies and the wider agencies schools work with.

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.

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.

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

Using assessment to support learning and giving pupils feedback.

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

Planning with the teacher, delivering activities and evaluating them.

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.

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

Behaviour policies, promoting positive behaviour and responding to inappropriate behaviour.

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

Risk assessment, accidents and emergencies, and health and safety practice; assessed in the real work environment.

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

Building relationships and working as part of the school team.

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.

12Plan and deliver learning activities under the direction of a teacher (D/601/7711)
4 credits

Planning learning activities with the teacher, delivering them, and monitoring learners' progress.

13Support children and young people during transitions in their lives (D/601/8325)
4 credits

Recognising transitions, planning support with others, and helping children and young people manage change.

14Promote the wellbeing and resilience of children and young people (F/600/9780)
4 credits

Promoting wellbeing and resilience, supporting self esteem, and responding to health needs.

Assessment

How is the Level 3 Teaching Assistant diploma assessed?

There are no exams. Every unit of this Ofqual regulated TQUK diploma is a portfolio you build from your work in school, marked by your tutor and quality assured by TQUK. Each unit is a pass or a refer, and you resubmit at no extra cost.

Portfolio of evidence, internally set and marked, externally quality assured by TQUK. Workplace observation for the practice units.

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 Diploma 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 Diploma 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£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

NCC Home Learning charges £489 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 3 Diploma 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£539.99for 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
NCC Home Learning£489Pay 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

What is a Level 3 teaching assistant course?

A level 3 teaching assistant course leads to an Ofqual regulated qualification at RQF Level 3 in supporting teaching and learning, the level most schools ask for in support staff adverts. Lift College runs two: the Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF), 601/2731/4, 32 credits, 6 to 9 months, for people new to school support, and this Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF), 601/4423/3, 44 credits, 12 to 15 months, for people already in a school role or heading for SEND support. Both are studied online with a named UK tutor, assessed by portfolio with no exams, and observed in the school where you work or volunteer.

How much does the Level 3 Teaching Assistant Diploma cost?

The Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning 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. Tutor, TQUK registration and certificate are included. No contract, no credit check, and a 14-day money back guarantee on every payment. See how that compares in our guide to the best online teaching assistant courses.

Can I start with the Level 3 Diploma without doing the Level 3 Certificate first?

Yes. The Diploma has no formal entry requirement beyond being 16 or over and working or volunteering in a school under the direction of a teacher. The Certificate is the shorter route if you are new to school support; the Diploma is the fuller qualification if you are already in a school role.

Is the Level 3 Diploma the right course for SEN teaching assistant roles?

Yes. The Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF) is the specialist support qualification, covering additional needs alongside classroom support, and it is the Level 3 that schools advertising SEN or learning support roles usually ask for. The practice units are observed in your school.

Can you become a teaching assistant with no experience?

Yes. Schools regularly hire teaching assistants with no classroom experience, especially candidates who are already studying a recognised qualification. Lift College's Level 3 Teaching Assistant Diploma is open to anyone aged 16 or over with no formal entry requirements, and volunteering in a local school while you study covers the experience schools like to see.

What qualifications do I need to be a teaching assistant?

No single qualification is legally required. Schools set their own requirements, usually GCSE or Functional Skills English and maths and, for many posts, a Level 3 in supporting teaching and learning; every school role needs an enhanced DBS check. This diploma is £539.99 a year or £59.99 a month when you pay today. New to school support? Start with the Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF).

Are there free teaching assistant courses?

Free online teaching assistant courses with certificates usually give a certificate of completion, not a regulated qualification. Some colleges offer funded places for adults; check with your local college. Lift College's diploma is paid, and you can start for £0 on the 7-day free trial, with nothing charged until day 8.

Is there a higher teaching assistant course?

Yes. After a Level 3, the next step is the Level 4 HLTA Certificate (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) (RQF), which Lift College teaches online for £539.99 a year or £59.99 a month when you pay today, with at least 50 hours in a teaching assistant role in school.

Not sure if Level 3 Teaching Assistant is right for you?

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