The UK offers a range of qualifications to suit the varying needs of English teachers worldwide. They range from initial teaching qualifications through to more advanced teaching qualifications.

 Cambridge ESOL and Trinity College London are important UK providers of English teaching qualifications (see table below). The UK higher education sector offers a further range of graduate and postgraduate qualifications.

More information about these qualifications can be found at:
www.cambridgeesol.org/
www.trinitycollege.co.uk/

Pre-service TEFL qualifications
The pre-service qualifications for teaching adults (CELTA, Cert. TESOL), offered by Cambridge ESOL and Trinity College, London, have a strong emphasis on teaching practice, are held in high regard throughout the world and are run in the UK and in many other countries.

Both qualifications meet the specifications set by the Qualifications Curriculum Authority (QCA) at Level 4.

Cambridge ESOL and Trinity College London also offer qualifications for teachers wanting to specialise in teaching English to children or young adults (CELTYL, Cert. TEYL).

Teaching Knowledge Test
The Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) from Cambridge ESOL offers a foundation course in the knowledge you need for teaching English, including teaching methodologies, the 'language of teaching', using resources, lesson planning and classroom management. Actual teaching is not tested.
The test is useful for teachers with at least an intermediate (CEF B1) level of English, who need or want a qualification to show their understanding of the principles of contemporary language teaching.

In-service certificates
Cambridge ESOL's ICELT (In-service Certificate in English Language Teaching) is designed to help practising teachers deepen their knowledge and develop their ability to reflect on and improve their teaching. Course programmes are designed for specific needs and working contexts. The main aim is to develop skills in the following areas: language awareness and language use in the classroom; planning, teaching and evaluation; assessment and evaluation.
Trinity College London's Joint Certificate TESOL is offered on successful completion of a validated in-service training programme run outside the United Kingdom for practising teachers whose first language is not English. Each Joint CertTESOL programme is slightly different as it is negotiated between Trinity and a regional or national education authority and/or a respected training organisation outside the UK. The qualification awarded is known as the Joint CertTESOL delivered in association with (the name of the course provider and/or local authority).
The level of English for both courses should be at least Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. ICELT is also suitable for first language speakers of English.

Higher teaching qualifications
The higher teaching qualifications (DELTA and LTCL Diploma) are accepted throughout the world by organisations which employ English language teachers. Both qualifications have been accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) at Level 7. In the Accreditation UK scheme, they confer TEFLQ (TEFL qualifying) status on teachers who are then deemed to have the appropriate qualifications to be academic managers in accredited institutions.

From September 2008, the DELTA has a new modular form, which gives candidates greater flexibility. Modules can be taken in stages over a period of time and with blended learning options. The modules also offer opportunities to focus on specialist areas such as teaching young learners or business English. Individual modules can be taken as part of a programme of continuous professional development (CPD) and there will be certificates for partial achievement, such as development as general English teacher.

Several LTCL Diploma TESOL course providers offer distance learning options. In the last year more than 75% of Trinity candidates have followed blended learning courses (EL Gazette, December, 2007). 

International Diploma in Language Teaching Management (IDLTM)
The International Diploma in Language Teaching Management (IDLTM) is a globally recognised qualification that enables language teaching professionals to apply management theory and practice to their work as language teaching managers. The IDLTM is designed to help ELT professionals:

• extend their knowledge and awareness of management principles and practices
• develop their management skills through the application of this knowledge and awareness to a language teaching context
• demonstrate these skills in effective practice as a language teaching manager

The IDLTM is awarded as a global partnership between Cambridge ESOL, SIT) School for International Training) and ICTE-UQ (Institute of Continuing & TESOL Education, the University of Queensland). 

Higher Education Qualifications
The higher education sector in the UK offers the following qualifications:

• Postgraduate certificates
• Postgraduate diplomas
• Bachelors in TESOL/ELT
• Masters in TESOL/ELT (including on specialist topics such as ESP, EAP)
• Doctorates

The courses offer a range of learning modes: part-time, full-time; mixed mode, distance learning.

A growing number of institutions offer single subject or joint degrees in ELT/TESOL.
Joint bachelor degrees include such possibilities as BA (Hons) in Criminology and TESOL. Some degrees are aimed primarily at non-native speakers e.g. the BA in EFL offered by the University of Stirling.

Around 45 universities in the UK offer certificated, diploma and Masters' courses in TEFL/TESOL. Certificate and diploma courses in TESOL are offered either as stand alone qualifications or as contributing credits towards a higher degree. Some institutions offer certificate courses that are delivered outside the UK e.g. Sheffield Hallam University in China.

Masters courses vary according to whether or not they:

• lead to an MA, an M Sc or an M Ed
• are full time or part time
• are taught face-to-face, through distance or blended learning
• are general post-graduate degrees in ELT/TESOL or specialised ones
• have a research, balanced or practical focus
• involve writing a dissertation or not
• include some kind of teaching practice
• are for teachers with little or no experience or teachers with a minimum of two/three years' experience

Many MAs follow a modularised course structure and consist of a number of core modules and optional units from which students can choose. This modularised approach explains why some providers offer named degrees in specific areas such as: ESP, Young Learners, Cultural Studies and New Learning Technologies.

Some degrees have a strong research orientation, whereas others have a more practical focus. Masters courses in ELT in the UK have traditionally been post-service qualifications, though some provide both for inexperienced and experienced teachers e.g. University of Reading and Aston University. Most Masters' courses do not contain teaching practice although some do, including those offered by Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Reading and Aston University.

Two private schools, International House London and NILE, offer Masters courses in collaboration with universities.

A number of universities also offer research degrees in ELT/TESOL such as Ed Ds, M Phils and PhDs. These consist of research-only or partly taught programmes.

Some universities deliver higher degree programmes in off-shore locations e.g. University of Exeter in Dubai and Lancaster University in Hong Kong.