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This is an online teaching assistant course for adults in the UK. You study the Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools online at your own pace, and complete the observed units in a school where you work or volunteer. You can start today with a 7-day free trial.
The TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools is studied online with a named UK tutor. You build your portfolio in the school where you work or volunteer, and receive your TQUK certificate on completion.
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.
Points typically used for Level 3 TAs. Term-time-only posts are paid pro rata.
Leads interventions and small groups. Usual step before HLTA.
HLTA grades run from about SCP 12 upwards; the upper range is shown.
| 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.
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.
The Level 3 Certificate comes first. This diploma follows, then the Level 4 HLTA certificate, then the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching. 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/mo44 credits from 14 units.
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.
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 diploma online with a named UK tutor, and you build your portfolio in the school where you work or volunteer. Practice units are observed in a real classroom. Simulation is not allowed.
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.
£59.99/month from day 8
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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.
£59.99£50.99/month, for life
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“I had two years of care experience but no formal qualification. The Lift College team conducted a recognition of prior learning assessment and we were able to start at level 3 straight away. My assessor was patient and e…”
FatimaLevel 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)“After 15 years working in admin I wanted a complete change. I started voluntary work at a local nursery and enrolled on the level 3 early years course at the same time. The qualification was structured really well, I cou…”
DonnaLevel 3 Early Years Educator“My initial assessment showed I was at Entry Level 3 in maths, lower than I'd expected. The Lift College team laid out a clear plan: Level 1 in eight weeks, Level 2 in a further ten. I followed the plan and hit both targe…”
JamesFunctional Skills Maths Level 1 and Level 2The Level 3 Certificate is 32 credits from 11 mandatory units, with at least 12 hours a week in school. This Ofqual-regulated TQUK diploma is 44 credits from 14 units, also studied in school. Each step is its own TQUK qualification. The Certificate comes first on this page.
Yes. You must be working or volunteering in a school under the direction of a teacher while you study this Ofqual-regulated TQUK diploma. Several units are observed in a real classroom, and simulation is not allowed. This page does not set a minimum number of placement hours.
After this Ofqual-regulated TQUK diploma, the next step is the Level 4 HLTA certificate, which covers leading whole classes, then the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching. This page lists those steps. Most people take them one at a time, in work.
No. Every unit is assessed by a portfolio you build from your work in school, marked by your tutor and quality assured by TQUK. There is no grading: each unit is a pass or a refer, and you resubmit at no extra cost.
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 and numeracy or equivalent recommended. Must be working or volunteering in a school under the direction of a teacher. Your setting may require you to be 18 for an enhanced DBS check or lone working.
Yes. Annual billing saves 15%: £611.99 for the year instead of £59.99 a month. The 7-day free trial and 14-day money back apply either way.
Yes. You study this Ofqual-regulated TQUK Level 3 diploma online with a named UK tutor, and you build your portfolio in the school where you work or volunteer. Practice units are observed in a real classroom. There are no exams.
This page does not state an A-level equivalence. The diploma is an Ofqual-regulated TQUK qualification at RQF Level 3, with 44 credits, on the Ofqual register, qualification number 601/4423/3. Training Qualifications UK issues the certificate. Lift College is a TQUK recognised centre.
This page is for TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF), on the Ofqual register. Qualification number 601/4423/3. A school decides which qualification a post needs.
12 to 15 months at 8 to 12 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.
