TEFL Diploma vs. Certificate: How to Choose

July 2024 · 8 minute read

Teaching English abroad could quite possibly be your ticket to traveling the world and finding home in bucket list destinations across the globe. If this sounds like a dream come true, all you need is to be TEFL certified.

Depending on how much time, money, and energy you want to invest into the certification process, there are two options out there for you when entering the world of teaching English as a foreign language: a certificate or a diploma in TEFL.

international english teacher standing against a chalkboard with writing

The right qualification for you will depend on your goals.

Naturally, you’re probably wondering what the difference is in a TEFL diploma vs. certificate. While a certificate is an excellent starter course that will help you land an entry level job, a diploma in TEFL will open career-making doors for you.

Whether you’re planning a gap year abroad, have teaching experience, or want to make a career change, it’s important to explore the differences between a TEFL diploma vs. certificate so you can make the right choice for you.

What is a TEFL diploma?

A diploma in TEFL is one step up from a certificate. It’s a bigger investment of time and money, but the perks are well worth it if you’re serious about teaching English abroad or online. With a TEFL diploma course, you’ll get everything involved in the certificate course, plus specialist training in teaching Business English to professionals and teaching English online, opening more possibilities to jobs.

While the course takes longer to complete, you’ll receive your TEFL certificate after completing your first 180 hours of training, which means you can start applying for jobs, working, and paying off those course fees before you even finish your TEFL diploma online. 

With i-to-i TEFL, you can take it one step further with a 420-Hour Advanced TEFL Diploma, the only advanced TEFL diploma online in the world. Become an IELTS exam teacher or specialize in teaching subjects like math, science, and geography to English learners—the options for TEFL careers are endless with an advanced diploma, and you’ll have access to the most competitive jobs in the industry.

TEFL diploma vs. certificate: 7 differences to consider

tefl diploma vs certificate

Both are beneficial...so how do you pick?

So how do you choose between a TEFL diploma vs. certificate? Can you get a job with just a TEFL certificate? Is a diploma in TEFL really worth your time?

When considering your options for TEFL courses, it’s important to set your goals. How serious are you about teaching English abroad? If you’re not sure if this is your calling, starting with a certificate can be a good way to ease into teaching.

You’ll be able to land a job abroad and give yourself an inexpensive opportunity to see if this is the right fit for you. But if you’re serious about creating a career, a diploma is well worth it. It’s a bigger investment, but will bring you the confidence and skills to make it in the TEFL world.

Here are the biggest differences to consider when choosing the right TEFL certification for you, depending on your goals.

1. Time commitment

One of the most noticeable differences between a TEFL diploma vs. certificate is the time commitment needed to complete the course. While a TEFL certificate typically takes as little as four weeks to complete, a diploma will usually take double that time.

With a certificate, it’s possible to pack study time into your weekends, but studying a TEFL diploma online requires more time and energy because there’s more course content.

If you’re working full-time with limited free time, a TEFL certificate will still allow you access to paid jobs teaching English abroad; however, if you’re willing to invest the extra time into the course, a TEFL diploma will boost your resume even further with more diverse skills from your longer course. 

2. Price

international english teacher in thailand

Don’t forget—investment in TEFL can take you around the world.

Yes, a diploma in TEFL is more expensive. But in this case, you get what you pay for. Think of all that extra content you’ll cover while studying a TEFL diploma online, the specialist modules that will give you insight into more than just the basics.

A longer, more intensive course will always cost a little extra, but if you think of the hours invested and the skills you’ll acquire, a higher fee actually gives you much more for your money.

A diploma in TEFL will also give you access to higher paying jobs once you complete your diploma, so there’s no doubt you’ll be able to make back the money invested in no time.

3. Pay rate

Can you get a job with just a TEFL certificate? Yes. You’ll be able to land an entry level job with a TEFL certificate, and for some, this is enough. On the other hand, if teaching English abroad or online is your dream job and you want to make top dollars to travel the world, a diploma in TEFL is the answer.

One of the biggest deciding factors when debating between a TEFL diploma vs. certificate is the wage you’ll receive once you begin working as an English teacher abroad. Entry level jobs can make you enough to get by, but higher paying jobs allow you to put money in your savings, pay off those course fees, and travel!

For most, travel is one of the biggest motivators for becoming TEFL certified, so why wouldn’t you opt for more money and more travel opportunities?

4. Teaching skills

diploma on tefl

Are you ready for an international teaching career?

While both a certificate and diploma in TEFL will teach you to approach a classroom with confidence, studying a TEFL diploma online offers extended learning modules to teach you skills you won’t have with a certificate.

Many TEFL courses teach you the basics of teaching English to both children and adults. By investing in a longer, more advanced course, you can learn specialist skills. 

Perhaps you want the option of teaching English online so that you can enjoy the perks of working from anywhere in the world, including your couch—the TEFL diploma has you covered. Or maybe you’d prefer to teach IELTS exam skills, professionals in the workforce, or subjects besides English; a diploma in TEFL can give you the skills you need.

If you want a variety of teaching skills, a diploma in TEFL will give you opportunities you won’t have with only a certificate.

5. Access to jobs before completing the course

Studying a TEFL diploma online is unique in that it allows you to begin working in the field while you’re still studying. Once you complete the initial hours needed for a TEFL certificate, you can begin applying to jobs and working as a qualified English teacher before you even complete your diploma.

While it might sound overwhelming to begin your work in TEFL while you’re still making your way through your course, taking advantage of this option gives you the opportunity to gain practical classroom experience while you study. Instead of waiting several months to gain experience, you can apply what you’re learning as you learn it, setting you up for success.

6. Study support

tefl diploma vs certificate

You don’t have to get certified alone.

With many TEFL providers, your certificate course covers the basic essentials needed to get started in the workplace. A diploma in TEFL, on the other hand, offers not only greater skills and a higher qualification, but extra study support to help you succeed. With free guides that give you extra tips, information, and assistance on assignments, you will feel supported every step of the way.

7. Recognition 

We all want a resume that shines. When choosing between a TEFL diploma vs. certificate, it’s important to consider how the qualification will appear to future employers. Because of the extra study hours and skills involved in completing a diploma in TEFL, this will always have greater weight when applying for jobs than a certificate.

While both a certificate and a diploma are recognized worldwide, a diploma in TEFL will help you stand out from the crowd. And if you want to take the leap into an Advanced Diploma, employers will snatch you up. Say hello to your dream job in TEFL!

Next steps to getting your TEFL diploma

Want a diploma that will open doors for you?

If you want an accredited course that’s cheaper and shorter that will still get you a paid job, the TEFL certificate will do the job. But if you want to get the best TEFL job in your ideal destination and earn a high salary while you’re at it, the diploma in TEFL is your ticket to making that dream come true. The time, money, and effort you put into earning your diploma is well worth it!

Explore TEFL Programs Abroad on GoAbroad.com

This article was written with help from i-to-i TEFL. i-to-i TEFL are one of the world’s leading TEFL course providers. Since opening their doors in 1994, they’ve qualified more than 210,000 teachers as well as pioneering the world’s first ever online and weekend TEFL courses. Their range of TEFL qualifications are UK Government regulated, internationally recognized, and 94% recommended by their graduates.

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