Compare TEFL courses and levels
London College of Teachers offers five TEFL levels, from the 120-hour Certificate (US$185) to the 480-hour Master in TEFL (US$645), plus three specialist courses: Young Learners, Business English and Teaching Phonetics. All are studied online at your own pace. The Certificate to Advanced Diploma need only good English; the PG Diploma and Master need a degree.
Compare TEFL levels
| Course | Hours | Study time | Entry | Best for | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEFL Certificate | 120 | up to 4 months | Good English | First TEFL job, online teaching | US$185 |
| TEFL Diploma | 150 | up to 5 months | Good English | More depth, stronger CV | US$275 |
| TEFL Advanced Diploma | 250 | up to 9 months | Good English | Specialism and management | US$390 |
| TEFL PG Diploma | 350 | up to 14 months | Any degree | Graduates, senior roles | US$510 |
| Master in TEFL | 480 | up to 16 months | Any degree | Training and management careers | US$645 |
| Business English Teacher Training | 120 | up to 6 months | Good English | Teaching professionals | US$130 |
| Young Learners Teacher Training | 60 | up to 4 months | Good English | Teaching children | US$130 |
| Teaching Phonetics | 60 | up to 4 months | Good English | Pronunciation teaching | US$130 |
All TEFL courses
Certificate
120-hour TEFL Certificate
120 hours · up to 4 months · online
US$185 / £160 / ₹14,750
Entry: good English, no degree needed
Diploma
150-hour TEFL Diploma
150 hours · up to 5 months · online
US$275 / £230 / ₹18,880
Entry: good English, no degree needed
Advanced Diploma
250-hour Advanced Diploma
250 hours · up to 9 months · online
US$390 / £325 / ₹27,140
Entry: good English, no degree needed
Postgraduate Diploma
350-hour TEFL PG Diploma
350 hours · up to 14 months · online
US$510 / £420 / ₹35,400
Entry: any university degree
Master level (professional)
480-hour Master in TEFL
480 hours · up to 16 months · online
US$645 / £535 / ₹44,840
Entry: any university degree
Specialist certificate
Business English (BETT)
120 hours · up to 6 months · online
US$130 / £110 / ₹9,000
Entry: good English, no degree needed
Specialist certificate
Young Learners (YL)
60 hours · up to 4 months · online
US$130 / £110 / ₹9,000
Entry: good English, no degree needed
Specialist certificate
Teaching Phonetics
60 hours · up to 4 months · online
US$130 / £110 / ₹9,000
Entry: good English, no degree needed
How to choose
Pick the level that matches your goal rather than the longest course.
- Teach online or get your first job abroad: 120-hour Certificate
- Stand out with deeper grammar and pronunciation: 150-hour Diploma
- Add a specialism and management skills: 250-hour Advanced Diploma
- Graduates aiming for senior roles: 350-hour PG Diploma or 480-hour Master in TEFL
- Already qualified and want a niche: Young Learners, Business English or Teaching Phonetics
Understanding TEFL levels
TEFL levels are described by study hours. Hours tell employers how much training you have had, and longer levels add depth: advanced grammar and phonetics at 150 hours, a specialism and research at 250 hours, and postgraduate-level research and management at 350 to 480 hours. All London College of Teachers TEFL courses are studied online, self-paced, with tutor support and a blockchain-verifiable certificate.
Course pathways by goal
- Teach online quickly: 120-hour Certificate, then add Young Learners or Business English.
- Teach abroad in Asia: 120-hour Certificate plus Young Learners.
- Teach in the Gulf as a graduate: 350-hour PG Diploma or 480-hour Master in TEFL.
- Corporate training: 120-hour Certificate plus Business English.
- IELTS and spoken-English coaching: 120-hour Certificate plus Teaching Phonetics, or the 150-hour Diploma.
- School teachers improving English teaching: 150-hour Diploma or 250-hour Advanced Diploma.
What every course includes
- Online access with a personal login
- Module quizzes with answer keys for review
- Tutor-graded assignments, lesson plans or projects at higher levels
- Tutor and coordinator support by email, phone and WhatsApp
- A certificate from London College of Teachers Limited (UKPRN 10096558)
- Optional teaching practice with a recommendation letter
Frequently asked questions
Which TEFL course should I choose?
Choose the 120-hour TEFL Certificate if you want the standard entry qualification for teaching abroad or online. Choose the 150-hour Diploma or 250-hour Advanced Diploma for deeper grammar, phonetics and a specialisation, and the 350-hour PG Diploma or 480-hour Master in TEFL if you have a degree and want senior, training or management roles.
What is the difference between a TEFL Certificate and a TEFL Diploma?
At London College of Teachers the 120-hour Certificate covers the core TEFL modules, while the 150-hour Diploma adds Advanced Grammar and Advanced Phonetics. The Certificate takes up to about 4 months and the Diploma about 5 months of self-paced study.
What is a Master in TEFL?
London College of Teachers' Master in TEFL is a 480-hour advanced professional programme, the highest TEFL level it offers. It adds a research paper and training in management, administration and classroom management to the PG Diploma content. It is not a university master's degree; for that, see the M.Ed in TESOL.
Should I specialise in Young Learners or Business English?
Choose Young Learners if you expect to teach children and teenagers in schools, kindergartens or academies, which is most of the demand in Asia. Choose Business English if you want to teach adults in companies or online professionals. The Advanced Diploma includes one specialisation, and both are available as stand-alone courses.
Is a longer TEFL course better?
A longer course gives more depth, specialisations and a stronger CV, and some employers prefer 150 hours or more. But a well-taught 120-hour course meets most entry-level requirements. Choose by your goal: entry job, specialisation or senior role.





