Best online equality and diversity courses in the UK (2026 comparison)

Why employers train staff in equality and diversity

Under section 109 of the Equality Act 2010, employers are liable for what staff do in the course of their work. Their defence is showing they took all reasonable steps to prevent it, and training staff is one step an employer can take. The Act covers England, Scotland and Wales; Northern Ireland has its own equality laws.

What to compare in an online equality and diversity course

• The nine protected characteristics. Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation, set out in section 4 of the Act.
• The types of discrimination. Direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation, with workplace examples.
• Reasonable adjustments. What section 20 asks of employers for disabled staff and customers.
• Inclusion in everyday work. Not only the law, but what staff do differently with colleagues, customers, patients or pupils.
• Length and test. Check the hours and whether retakes are free.
• A certificate and refresh date that can be verified, and the price a buyer pays.

Lift College's Equality and Diversity Training ends with a final test, 80% to pass with unlimited free retakes, and a certificate that shows your hours of learning, completion date and a recommended refresh date, with a unique number and a verification link.

Online equality and diversity courses compared (2026)

Lift College is listed first. Competitor prices are from each provider's own course page, checked 22 October 2026, as a buyer pays.

"Check provider" means we do not hold that detail from the provider's page. Prices change, so check each provider before you buy.

Who each option suits

• You are starting a new job and your employer asks for equality training: Lift College Equality and Diversity Training, 2 hours, with a certificate in your name.
• You interview, recruit or manage people, or handle adjustment requests: the same course covers reasonable adjustments and employer responsibility.
• Your employer wants a wider respect at work programme: add Bullying and Harassment Training, 2 hours in 5 modules, and Sexual Harassment Training, 2 hours in 5 modules.
• You work in Northern Ireland: the course is written around the Equality Act 2010, which mostly does not apply there; check what your employer needs.

What you get with Lift College

• 6 modules: equality, diversity and inclusion; the nine protected characteristics; types of discrimination; reasonable adjustments; employer responsibility; and inclusion in everyday work.
• £19.99, pay once. One payment for one learner, no subscription, with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
• CPD Standards Office accredited certificate the same day you pass, with a unique number and a verification link.
• Free refresher every 3 years. We email you 30 days before.
• Training a team? Each course is £16.99 a place on a free organisation account, with card or invoice payment.

Ready to start? Take equality and diversity training online with Lift College.