How much does a TEFL course cost in 2026? Free to CELTA

guide series: TEFL certification topic: how much does a TEFL course cost

An online 120-hour TEFL course costs anywhere from nothing to about £150. A regulated online Level 5 course costs around £230, and an in-person CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL costs about £1,300–£2,300. The hours are often the same. What you pay for is what’s added on top: a tutor marking your work, a regulated qualification level, longer access, or teaching real learners while a trainer watches.

This guide covers every price range, what each one buys, and the extra fees to check before you pay.

Disclosure and how we checked

We run simpleTEFL, which sells a US$29 course, so we’re one of the providers in this guide. We checked the providers’ own course pages on 24 and 25 October 2026 and quote prices as they were listed then, in the provider’s currency. Prices and offers change often, so check the current price before you buy.

TEFL course prices at a glance

Type of course	Typical price, and what it adds
Free online course	£0. Study is free; some courses charge for the certificate, and support is usually limited
Budget online 120-hour course	US$27–US$49. Automatically marked quizzes; the cheapest tiers usually include 6 months' access, with tutor support in a higher tier
Mid-range online 120-hour course	£99–£152. Tutor-marked assignments and a named tutor; some are Ofqual-regulated at Level 3
Online Level 5 course (about 168 hours)	Around £229. An Ofqual-regulated Level 5 qualification with assessed assignments
CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL, in person	About £1,300–£2,300. Four weeks full time, including teaching real learners while a trainer observes you

Most people starting out choose between the first three. Level 5, CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL are worth their higher price when an employer, a visa or a long-term career plan asks for them.

What does a cheap TEFL course under $50 include?

Courses under US$50 cover the same 120 hours, but the cheapest tier usually removes support and shortens your access. Here is what the main budget providers listed when we checked, from the lowest price:

IntrepidTEFL: US$27 with 6 months’ access and technical support, or US$39 with 24 months’ access and tutor support.
simpleTEFL: US$29, with lifetime access and tutor and job support by email included.
StudyTEFL: US$29 for a leaner course with 6 months’ access, or US$39 for its Complete TEFL with tutor support.
TEFLmasters: US$29 with 6 months’ access, or US$49 with a tutor and 12 months. Tutor-marked assignments cost an extra US$20.
World TESOL Academy: US$36, with a separate lifetime-access version.

Sources: IntrepidTEFL, StudyTEFL, TEFLmasters and World TESOL Academy, checked 25 October 2026; simpleTEFL course details.

In this price range, assessment is mostly online quizzes, and there’s no observed teaching practice. Compare what the headline price includes: the access period, whether a tutor answers your questions, and what the certificate costs. How to check whether a $29 course is legit

What does a more expensive TEFL course add?

Each step up in price usually buys one or more of these:

Tutor-marked assignments. A tutor reads your written work, such as lesson plans, and gives feedback. This is the main difference between budget courses and the £99–£152 range.
A regulated qualification level. Some courses are regulated by Ofqual, the exams regulator for England, at Level 3 or Level 5. A few employers and visa schemes ask for a Level 5 qualification by name.
Longer access. Many mid-range courses give you 6 months to finish. Extensions often cost extra; check before you buy.
Observed teaching practice. You plan and teach lessons to real learners while a trainer watches and gives feedback. CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL are built around this, which is a big part of why they cost over £1,000.
Live classes. Some providers add scheduled online classes, either included or as an extra.

If you won’t use an extra, you don’t need to pay for it. If a job advert asks for one of them, it’s worth the money.

Which hidden costs should you check?

The headline price isn’t always the total. Before you pay, check whether these cost extra:

Extra costs to check before you pay

The certificate. Some free and budget courses charge to issue the certificate itself.
A printed copy and postage. Often optional; a digital certificate is enough for most applications.
Extensions. If your access ends before you finish, extending it can cost more than the course.
Resits. Check whether you can retake a failed assessment for free.
Assessment or moderation fees. Some CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL centres charge these separately, adding around £180–£190.
Legalisation. Some visas need an apostille on your certificate, which is a separate cost.

Be wary of permanent “was £399, now £39” offers too. Compare the price you would actually pay, not the discount.

How much should you spend on a TEFL course?

Spend according to what your goal asks for:

To start teaching online, or apply for entry-level jobs that ask for a 120-hour TEFL: an accredited budget course does the job. Choose one with the access and support you’ll use.
If you want feedback on your lesson plans, or a regulated Level 3: a mid-range online course at £99–£152.
If an employer or visa asks for Level 5: an Ofqual-regulated Level 5 course, at around £229 or more.
If you’re planning a long-term career, or applying to competitive schools: a CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL, at about £1,300–£2,300.

Start with the job adverts or platforms you’re aiming for and buy the cheapest course that meets their requirements. Our TEFL certification guide explains the qualifications in more detail.

Where does simpleTEFL fit?

simpleTEFL’s 120-hour course costs US$29, one time. That price includes what budget courses often keep for a higher tier: lifetime access and tutor and job support by email. The digital certificate, online verification for employers and unlimited assessment retakes are included too. A printed copy is optional, at US$25 plus delivery.

It doesn’t include tutor-marked assignments or observed teaching practice, and it isn’t an Ofqual-regulated qualification. If your goal needs those, the price ranges above show where to look.

See everything the US$29 course includes

The course has a 30-day money-back guarantee for eligible purchases; the refund policy explains the conditions.

Sources for CELTA and Trinity prices

CELTA, full time in the UK: St Giles London (from £1,450 including the exam fee), International House London (£1,747 plus a £186 assessment fee) and UCL (£2,275).
Trinity CertTESOL: Lewis School, Southampton (£1,278 plus a £180–£190 moderation fee) and University of York (£1,550 for external applicants).
Mid-range and Level 5 online prices come from our cheap TEFL courses comparison, checked 24 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a 120-hour TEFL course cost?

An online 120-hour TEFL course costs anywhere from nothing to about £150. Budget courses cost US$27–US$49, and courses with tutor-marked assignments usually cost £99–£152. What changes with the price is the support, marking and access period, not the number of hours.

How much does CELTA cost?

A full-time CELTA in the UK costs about £1,450–£2,275 in 2026, depending on the centre. Some centres include the Cambridge assessment fee and some charge it separately, so compare the total.

Why are some TEFL courses so cheap?

Online courses don't need classrooms or trainers to observe your teaching, and many are marked automatically. That keeps costs low. A cheap course can still be legitimate if its accreditation, certificate and fees are clear. How to check a $29 TEFL course

Is a more expensive TEFL course better?

Not automatically. More money usually buys specific things: a tutor marking your work, a regulated qualification level, longer access or observed teaching practice. Pay for those if your employer or goal needs them; if it doesn't, a cheaper accredited 120-hour course can do the same job.