Cheap TEFL courses in the UK: what about £22 to £229 gets you in 2026
What cheap TEFL courses cost in the UK, what Ofqual regulation and accreditation mean, and what you need to teach in the UK, online or abroad.
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In the UK, an accredited 120-hour online TEFL costs from about £22: simpleTEFL’s course is US$29, with tutor and job support and lifetime access. Ofqual-regulated courses start at about £99 for Level 3 and £229 for Level 5, and CELTA costs about £1,450 or more. The extra money buys marked assignments, a regulated qualification level or observed teaching practice.
Which you need depends on where you want to teach: online, abroad, or in a UK language school.
We run simpleTEFL, a UK company and one of the courses compared. UK prices were checked on providers’ own pages on 24 October 2026. Our course is priced in US dollars; pound amounts are approximate.
What do TEFL courses cost in the UK?
| Course and price | What you get |
|---|---|
| simpleTEFL, US$29 (about £22) | Accredited 120-hour course, tutor and job support by email, lifetime access, automatically marked quizzes |
| i-to-i TEFL, £99 | Ofqual-regulated Level 3, 120 hours, written-assignment feedback, 10 weeks' access |
| Premier TEFL, £135 | 120 hours, personal tutor, optional live classes, 6 months' access |
| The TEFL Org, £151.60 | 120 hours, named tutor who marks your assignments, 6 months' access |
| The TEFL Academy, £229 | Ofqual-regulated Level 5, 168 hours, three assessed assignments, 6 months' access |
| CELTA, about £1,450–£2,275 | Four weeks full time, with observed teaching practice |
Details and sources are in our cheap TEFL courses comparison and TEFL cost guide. Deal sites also sell very cheap TEFL courses. Check who runs the course, how many hours it really has, and whether the certificate costs extra. How to check a cheap TEFL course
Ofqual-regulated or accredited: what’s the difference?
- Ofqual regulates qualifications in England. A regulated TEFL appears on the Ofqual register at a set level, such as Level 3 or Level 5.
- Accreditation means an independent body has reviewed the course. simpleTEFL is accredited by ACCREDITAT, a UK accrediting body, but it is not an Ofqual-regulated qualification.
For online teaching and many jobs abroad, an accredited 120-hour TEFL is what’s asked for. Pay for a regulated qualification if an employer or visa scheme asks for Level 3 or Level 5 by name. Our certification guide explains both in more detail.
Where can you teach with a cheap TEFL from the UK?
Online
Most platforms don’t require a TEFL, but italki’s Professional Teacher tier asks for an accredited TEFL of at least 120 hours. What each platform asks for
Abroad
Many schools and government programmes abroad ask for a degree and a 120-hour TEFL. You’ll usually also need a criminal record check and legalised documents. UK documents are legalised by the FCDO’s Legalisation Office, and our certificate can be apostilled through our partner Hague Apostille. See our guides to Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan.
In a UK language school
This is where a cheap online TEFL usually isn’t enough on its own. British Council-accredited language schools generally need teachers with a qualification that includes at least six hours of observed teaching practice with real learners, such as CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL. British Council guidance on teacher qualifications
Which route suits you?
| If you want to… | What to get |
|---|---|
| Teach online, part time or from home | An accredited 120-hour TEFL. A low-cost course is enough, and italki's Professional Teacher tier asks for 120 hours. |
| Teach abroad after university | An accredited 120-hour TEFL, plus your degree, a criminal record check and legalised documents. |
| Teach in a UK language school | CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL, or another course with at least six hours of observed teaching practice. |
| Meet a job or visa that names Level 5 | An Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL, such as The TEFL Academy's. |
If you’re not sure yet, it’s reasonable to start with an affordable 120-hour course and take CELTA later if you decide teaching is your career. CELTA builds on what a 120-hour course covers, rather than replacing it.
How simpleTEFL fits
simpleTEFL is run by SIMPLETEFL LTD, a UK company registered in London (Companies House 15466925, UKPRN 10094815). The 120-hour course costs US$29, about £22, and includes tutor and job support by email, lifetime access with no deadline, unlimited assessment retakes and a digital certificate employers can verify online.
It’s a good fit for teaching online or starting abroad. If you want to teach in a UK language school or need a regulated qualification, the courses above are a better match.
The course has a 30-day money-back guarantee for eligible purchases; the refund policy explains the conditions.
Sources and references
UK prices were checked on 24–25 October 2026.
- Cheap TEFL courses compared
Used to check: UK provider prices.
- TEFL cost guide
Used to check: CELTA prices.
- British Council — academic staff qualifications
Used to check: six hours of observed teaching practice for TEFLQ.
- Companies House — SIMPLETEFL LTD
Used to check: UK company, registered office in London.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest accredited TEFL course in the UK?
Of the UK-based courses we compared, simpleTEFL is the cheapest at US$29 (about £22), with ACCREDITAT accreditation, tutor and job support and lifetime access. Ofqual-regulated courses start at about £99 for Level 3.
Do I need an Ofqual-regulated TEFL?
Usually not for online teaching or many jobs abroad, which ask for an accredited 120-hour TEFL. Some employers or visa schemes ask for a regulated Level 5 by name; if yours does, choose one. TEFL certification guide
Can I teach English in a UK language school with an online TEFL?
Usually not on its own. British Council-accredited language schools generally need teachers with a qualification that includes at least six hours of observed teaching practice, such as CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL.
Is simpleTEFL a UK company?
Yes. SIMPLETEFL LTD is registered at Companies House (15466925), with a registered office in London, and is on the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN 10094815). How to check us
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