Is a Level 5 TEFL the Same as a CELTA?

If you’ve been researching TEFL courses and routes into English teaching to adults and young learners alike, it won’t have taken long before you encountered a course called the CELTA. 

It’s hard to miss as it’s often written all in capitals, screaming importance.

But there is also TEFL Level 5. It’s newer, perhaps built more for modern learning techniques and platforms, and it is also a route into wonderful opportunities.

So are they the same? And if not, does it matter which TEFL course you opt for?

 How do the courses differ, and how do they prepare those taking them for going into work?

Let’s dig in and find out what the differences are – and why, in many cases, a Level 5 TEFL qualification might be the better option. 

We can say with certainty at this early stage, too, that it is the more affordable option and also usually the quicker to complete.

What actually is CELTA?

We will start with CELTA which stands for Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults. It’s a qualification run by Cambridge University (or more accurately, part of Cambridge Assessment English – you won’t be a Cambridge University student) and has been seen as the go-to for traditional English language teaching for decades. You do the training in a classroom, usually full-time for four weeks, with teaching practice, feedback, and a fair few nerves.

There’s no question it’s a respected qualification. But it’s also expensive, intensive and not particularly flexible – and these three things matter greatly depending on your circumstances.

It may be the longest-serving, but that could also be a sign that it is a course more in keeping with times past — a time when there was neither online learning nor those wanting TEFL tutors who worked via remote platforms. It is a course perhaps slightly from a previous age.

And what about Level 5 TEFL certification?

A Level 5 TEFL qualification is an Ofqual-regulated diploma recognised internationally and considered equivalent to a foundation degree or CELTA in terms of level.

 It’s more in-depth than Level 3—this is more of an introduction—and is the gold standard for anyone serious about teaching English abroad or online.

Where CELTA is classroom-based, Level 5 TEFL tends to be online, although some providers offer blended options. 

But even the online courses are comprehensive. 

You’ll cover grammar, lesson planning, and teaching methods and gain the confidence that only comes from proper, structured learning. 

Online also allows the student to repeat, pause and re-do and work at their own pace rather than that of the class overall.

 It also means the ability to binge, or take breaks and also to maintain momentum in learning.

So no – they’re not the same. 

However, they are equivalent in terms of level, and increasingly, employers see them that way too.

Key differences between the CELTA qualification and the Level 5 tefl course

So, which TEFL course is better?

Well, that depends, although there is a clear winner for most people, we would suggest, especially if you aim to start working quickly, earn good money and not break the bank on the course.

If you’ve got the time, money and inclination to spend four solid weeks in a classroom doing CELTA – and you want to teach adults only – it might be right for you. But most people don’t have that luxury. Many enjoy the advantages of online learning, which Level 5 will allow, or you could opt for a blended learning course.

A Level 5 TEFL course is simply a more realistic option for many learners. You can do it at your own pace, from anywhere in the world.

 If you’re working, travelling, raising a family or just juggling life, it fits in.

 You don’t need to stop everything and block out a month – a massive plus.

And while a Celta course focuses on teaching adults, TEFL Level 5 opens the door to teaching adults, teenagers and children – both in person and online. If you want flexibility in who you teach, where you teach, and how you teach, it’s a better fit.

The classroom experience of CELTA can make some feel more prepared for their first real TEFL job, though this ignores the effectiveness of online modules and tutors’ feedback. In any case, after a week or two of paid work, there will be no discernible difference.

What about the cost?

CELTA courses typically cost around £1,400–£1,800, and that’s before you factor in travel or accommodation if the training centre isn’t local.

A Level 5 TEFL course is far more affordable. 

Full Circle TEFL offers it from as little as £44.99 to get started, and the total is a fraction of the CELTA price.

 For most people – especially those testing the water or looking to qualify quickly – that makes a huge difference.

When it comes to earning potential there is typically no real difference – jobs will want a valid qualification, both of which would qualify.

And credibility?

CELTA has history on its side. It’s been around longer and has an academic sheen thanks to Cambridge. 

But Level 5 TEFL is catching up fast, especially when offered by accredited providers like Full Circle.

Employers worldwide recognise that a Level 5 TEFL diploma delivers confident, well-prepared teachers who’ve learned how to run lessons, manage classrooms and handle the day-to-day teaching of English. It’s a practical course, designed for the real world.

So yes, CELTA might still carry a certain cachet in some circles – but it’s not the only serious option.

 A well-run Level 5 TEFL course more than holds its own.

What about job opportunities?

Here’s where it gets really interesting.

In most of the world – especially across Asia, the Middle East and Europe – a TEFL Level 5 is absolutely accepted for teaching positions.

 In fact, many employers specifically list it as a requirement. 

You’ll be eligible for jobs in schools, private academies, summer camps, online platforms and more.

Some higher-end jobs might still prefer CELTA – such as international schools or university-level roles – but even here, experience often matters just as much as qualification. 

A TEFL Level 5 teacher with a few years under their belt will be a strong candidate wherever they apply.

Plus, a Level 5 TEFL opens up the world of being able to teach English online, which CELTA doesn’t really cover. 

If you want the flexibility to work from home or teach students from around the globe, this is another point in Level 5’s favour.

Jobs are available in native English-speaking countries as well as those where English is not the mother tongue and is a foreign language.

Which one is easier?

Neither is “easy” if appropriately done,  nor should they be – you’re preparing to be responsible for other people’s education.

But Level 5 TEFL is more flexible. You can pace it to suit your learning style and commitments, review modules as needed, and not feel the pressure of an intensive, in-person course.

Many students also report that they find Level 5 more accessible and less intimidating than CELTA.

 It is also worth noting that CELTA has observed teaching practice, which can put off many.

 With level 5, there’s support, feedback and structure – just without the four-week life takeover.

So, which one should you choose to become a TEFL teacher?

If you’re planning to make English teaching your lifelong profession and want to work exclusively with adults in a classroom, CELTA might be a good option.

But for most people, a TEFL Level 5 certificate is a better fit. 

It’s flexible, affordable, globally recognised, and gives you everything you need to get started and grow as a teacher. It’s the best route into TEFL without needing to take a month off life or spend thousands up front.

And crucially, it opens doors. So many places want English teachers. If you wish to teach abroad, work online, supplement your income, travel, or start a new career, it’s a qualification that gets you going. And quickly.

Final thoughts

There’s no single “best” route into teaching English or gaining a TEFL certificate. But there are smarter ones, and ones that fit real lives and real ambitions. Both are internationally recognised courses.

The TEFL Level 5 qualification is one of those. It does everything CELTA does – and sometimes more – without the barriers.

So is a TEFL Level 5 the same as CELTA? Not exactly. But for most people, it’s the better choice.

We find that the TEFL Level 5 course produces experienced teachers who can work in language schools, businesses, and a whole host of other settings. It is a qualifications framework that makes a huge choice of TEFL jobs available.