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

Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) Level 3 Certificate

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Looking for a CAVA assessor course you can study online? The TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement is the recognised CAVA qualification for becoming a vocational assessor. You study online and are assessed on your real practice with at least two learners. It is Ofqual regulated, typically takes 4 to 8 months, and you can start with a 7-day free trial.

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£69.99 a month, or £713.99 in total
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.
Independent reviewsEvery review on our Trustpilot page is from a Lift College learner.
TQUK
Regulated
qualification
When do you want to start?
£69.99/month · Full course with all fees included
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£0 today. Nothing is charged until day 8. Cancel any time from your account.
7-day free trial
14-day money back on every payment
No contract, cancel any time from your account
No credit check
Certificate issued by TQUK on completion
Registered titleTQUK Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (RQF)
Level and creditsRQF Level 3, 15 credits
Qualification numberTQUK 601/2389/8
Guided learning84 hours, 150 total qualification time
AssessmentPortfolio of evidence, no exams
Where you practiseA real work environment or training centre where you assess at least two learners (four assessments in total)
Typical study time4 to 8 months
Pay monthly£69.99 Full course with all fees included
Pay annually£713.99 Full course with all fees included
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 the middle half of the range is shown, not just the median.

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. Print the 25th to 75th percentile, not just the median.

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.

Your progression ladder

Level 3 Certificateclassroom support, 12 hours a week in school
Level 3 Teaching Assistant Diplomadeepen practice
HLTA Level 4lead classes, higher pay band
Level 5 Diploma in Teaching FE & Skillsteach post-16
CAVA L3assessor branch
How paying works

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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.

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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.

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.

Can I do the Level 3 CAVA certificate online?

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

TQUK
Your certificate

Your certificate comes from TQUK

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

750,000+

certificates issued since 2013

240+

qualifications across more than 20 sectors

11,000+

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.

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.

Pricing

Choose how you want to study

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.

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£69.99/month from day 8

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Skip the trial and pay today. Every payment is 15% lower for as long as you study.

£69.99£59.49/month, for life

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14-day money back guarantee. Request a refund within 14 days of any payment.

Both options include
  • Complete Level 3 course, all units
  • Named UK tutor
  • Marked in 5 to 7 working days
  • Resubmit at no extra cost
  • AI Study Support
Learner stories

Reviews from Lift College learners

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“I took A level History as part of a plan to apply to read Law as a mature student. I had no idea if I could manage academic study at 41 after a 20-year gap, but the course structure was clear and the online platform made…”

DavidA level History online

“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)

“I tried three times at school and never cracked maths. The online materials broke it down far better than any classroom I sat in. Passed grade 4 at age 34 and immediately enrolled on an electrical apprenticeship.”

SteveGCSE Maths resit
Questions

Frequently asked questions

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.

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.

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.

Are there exams?

No. 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. Grading is Pass only, no grading.

What does the price include?

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.

What age do I need to be?

You need to be 18 or over. Level 2 literacy or numeracy or equivalent recommended. Occupational competence in the area you will assess. Access to at least two learners to assess. Your setting may require you to be 18 for an enhanced DBS check or lone working.

What comes after this?

The next teaching step is the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills).

Who issues the certificate?

Training Qualifications UK (TQUK) issues the certificate. Lift College is a TQUK recognised centre.

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.

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 this the qualification employers ask for?

This is the TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement, the qualification for people who assess vocational learners in the workplace.

How long does it take?

4 to 8 months at 6 to 8 hours a week

What is Start now?

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.

Do I need a DBS check?

An enhanced DBS check is normally arranged by your employer or placement setting. Your setting may require you to be 18 for an enhanced DBS check or lone working.

Can I pay annually?

Yes. Annual billing saves 15%: £713.99 for the year instead of £69.99 a month. The 7-day free trial and 14-day money back apply either way.

Not sure if Level 3 CAVA is right for you?

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