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Teaching and childcare On the Ofqual register · 601/2389/8Level 3From £69.99/mo paying today

Level 3 Assessor Certificate (CAVA) (RQF)

The CAVA qualification can be studied online: it is the TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (601/2389/8), 15 credits from 3 mandatory units, assessed by portfolio with no exams. You need to be 18 or over, competent in the area you will assess and able to assess at least two learners; most finish in 4 to 8 months.

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Updated

Course facts
QualificationTQUK Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (RQF)
LevelLevel 3
Awarding bodyTQUK (Training Qualifications UK)
Qualification number601/2389/8
ExamsPortfolio of evidence, no exams
Price£629.99 a year or £69.99 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 £79.99 a month or £815.99 a year.
Typical duration4 to 8 months
Age18 or over
Who it suitsAre occupationally competent in a trade or profession and want to assess NVQs, diplomas or apprenticeships
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 601/2389/8.
15credits
Level 3 on the RQF84 guided learning hours. No exams, portfolio of evidence.
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TQUK
Regulated
qualification
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£629.99/year · Full course with all fees included · £52.50 a month

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Certificate issued by TQUK on completion
Careers and pay

What assessors are paid

Assessors and vocational trainers are grouped together by the Office for National Statistics. The spread is wide because it covers industry as well as education, so treat the median as a guide.

median, full-time, UK, 2025£36,357Assessor, vocational trainer (other vocational and industrial trainers)

SOC 3574 is the closest code for workplace assessors and trainers; it also includes trainers in industry, so the spread is wide.

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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Watch: Can You Do a CAVA Assessor Course Online?3 min 10 s · Lift College on YouTube
Who this is for

This course is for you if

  • Are occupationally competent in a trade or profession and want to assess NVQs, diplomas or apprenticeships
  • Already assess informally at work and need the formal qualification
  • Have at least two learners you can assess in a workplace or training centre
  • Are 18 or over; Level 2 literacy or numeracy recommended
Honest about who it is not for

Think again if

  • You have no learners to assess; two of the three units are assessed on real practice and simulation is not allowed
  • You only need to assess knowledge in a classroom; the Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement is the smaller qualification for that
  • You want to quality assure other assessors; that is the Level 4 IQA award, after CAVA
Two learners, four assessments

This unit should be assessed in a real work environment. Simulations are not allowed. There must be evidence of the trainee assessor carrying out at least two assessments of two learners.

  • Assessment practice in a real work environment and a training or classroom setting
  • At least two assessments of two learners in each practice unit
  • Observation, product evidence and questioning for competence; three methods from the vocational skills list
  • Your employer or a partner centre provides the learners; agree it before you enrol
Progression

From assessor to teacher

CAVA is a qualification in its own right and the usual first step for practitioners who go on to teach post-16.

Level 3Level 3 Assessor Certificate (CAVA) (RQF)

Assess vocational achievement. 15 credits.

From £79.99/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

Three mandatory units

15 credits from 3 mandatory units.

3 mandatory units15 credits in total84 guided learning hours
1Understanding the principles and practices of assessment (D/601/5313)
3 credits

3 credits, 24 guided learning hours.

2Assess vocational skills, knowledge and understanding (F/601/5319)
6 credits

6 credits, 30 guided learning hours.

3Assess occupational competence in the work environment (H/601/5314)
6 credits

6 credits, 30 guided learning hours.

Assessment

How is the Level 3 CAVA certificate assessed?

There are no exams. This Ofqual-regulated TQUK certificate is a portfolio: assignments for the principles unit, and observed assessment practice with two learners for the practice units. Simulation is not allowed. It is quality assured by TQUK. Grading is pass only.

Portfolio: assignments and questions for the principles unit; observed assessment practice with two learners for the two practice units, covering observation, product evidence and questioning, plus three methods from the vocational skills list. 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 3 Assessor Certificate (CAVA) 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 Assessor Certificate (CAVA) (RQF) prices at Lift College
Full course with all fees included
Pay today, yearlyBest value3 months free, fixed for life£629.99 a yearthat is £52.50 a month
Pay today, monthly£10 a month less than after a trial£69.99 a month
7-day free trial first£0 today, first payment on day 8£79.99 a monthor £815.99 a year
  • 14-day money back
  • No contract
  • No credit check
  • No finance agreement
  • Cancel any time

How the cost compares

Open Study College, Brooks and Kirk, Train Aid and NCC Home Learning charge £341 to £929 for the course, paid in full or in instalments. With Lift College you can start for £0 today, and a full year is £629.99 when you pay today.

Full Level 3 Assessor Certificate (CAVA) (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£629.99for 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
Open Study College£929In full, 3 payments with Klarna or PayPal, or monthly Direct Debit
Brooks and Kirk£795In full, or a £50 deposit then £70.42 a month for 12 months
Train Aid£594£594 including VAT (£495 plus VAT)
NCC Home Learning£341Pay 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.

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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.

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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 CAVA course cost?

The Level 3 Assessor Certificate (CAVA) with Lift College is £629.99 a year or £69.99 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 £79.99 a month or £815.99 a year. Tutor, TQUK registration and certificate are included. No contract, no credit check, and a 14-day money back guarantee on every payment.

Do I need a teaching qualification to take the CAVA course?

No. You need to be 18 or over, occupationally competent in the area you will assess, and have access to at least two learners. Level 2 literacy or numeracy or equivalent is recommended. Many assessors go on to the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching later, but it is not required first.

What is the difference between the CAVA and the Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement?

The CAVA certificate covers assessing in a real work environment and in a training or classroom setting, which is what most assessor roles for NVQs and apprenticeships ask for. The Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement is the smaller qualification for assessing knowledge in a classroom or training setting only. If that is all you will assess, the Award is enough; if you will also assess practice in the workplace, take the CAVA.

What is a CAVA qualification?

CAVA is the TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement, the assessor qualification awarding organisations expect their centres' assessors to hold. This Ofqual-regulated TQUK certificate is 15 credits. You study online with a named UK tutor and evidence assessment practice with real learners.

What can I assess with the Level 3 CAVA?

You can assess vocational learners in the workplace, including NVQs, diplomas and apprenticeships, once you are occupationally competent in that area. This Ofqual-regulated TQUK certificate covers real work and a training or classroom setting. It is not the smaller award for classroom knowledge only.

Do I need candidates to assess during the CAVA course?

Yes. You need access to at least two learners. Two of the three units are assessed on real practice, with at least two assessments of two learners, and simulation is not allowed. Arrange the learners before you enrol on this Ofqual-regulated TQUK certificate.

Can I do the CAVA course online?

Yes. You study this Ofqual-regulated TQUK certificate online with a named UK tutor. You still evidence assessment practice with real learners in a workplace or training centre, because simulation is not allowed. There are no exams. The certificate comes from TQUK.

Is CAVA the same as A1 or TAQA?

No. CAVA replaced the A1 and A2 assessor awards. TAQA is the collective name for the assessor and quality assurance qualifications, and CAVA is the assessor certificate within it. This Ofqual-regulated TQUK certificate is what most awarding organisations ask their centres' assessors to hold. The full suite is set out in our TAQA vs CAVA guide.

Not sure if Level 3 CAVA is right for you?

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