Updated September 30, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
The TEFL Institute vs Upgrad knowledgehut
Where The TEFL Institute and Upgrad knowledgehut differ
| Compare |  The TEFL Institute |  Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $40 | €305 |
| Free tier | No | YesHas it |
| Money-back period | 14 daysHigher | 7 days |
| Platform type | Curated | Bootcamp |
| Certificate fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Free trial length | 3 days | Not confirmed |
| Number of courses | Not confirmed | 250 |
| Access period | 6 months | Not confirmed |
| Offline downloads | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Markets | GB, US, CA, ZA, IN, AU, NZ, CN, RU, DE, FR, ES, NL, VN, AE, IT, PL, TH, TR | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Graded assessments (Yes), Team plan (Yes).
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Key differences
- Free tier: only Upgrad knowledgehut.
- Money-back period is higher at The TEFL Institute: 14 days vs 7 days.
- Support channels: only The TEFL Institute offers Help centre, Community.
- Support channels: only Upgrad knowledgehut offers Chat.
- Subjects: only The TEFL Institute offers Languages.
- Subjects: only Upgrad knowledgehut offers Coding, Data, It.
Our verdict on each
The TEFL Institute
The TEFL Institute fits readers who want a single online route to a TEFL certificate: the exam fee is included, tutor support and job support come with it, and 120 hours of study ends in a certificate bundled with the course. The catch is no free tier and no practicum attached.
Upgrad knowledgehut
Upgrad Knowledgehut suits people who want an IT certificate with tutor support, a practicum and the exam fee folded into one payment rather than added later. IT certification fees start at €305, and the 7 days refund window gives a short way out if the training is not the right fit.
Score breakdown
| Area | The TEFL Institute | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2HigherEntry at $40 with a $0 certificate fee, so the certificate adds no charge of its own. | 8.8The entry price of €305 is listed once, the exam fee is included, and the 7 days refund window limits the downside. |
| Offer | 8.9Assessments, offline download and a team plan, with 6 months of access after enrolment. | 9.1HigherTutor support, a practicum, job support and delivery across online and in person formats, with free courses alongside paid programmes. |
| Trust | 9.1Accredited by deac with credit recognition for cpd and ofqual, from a provider founded in 2017. | Not confirmed |
Licences and countries
| Country | The TEFL Institute | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Ireland | Not confirmed |
Which one suits you
Pick The TEFL Institute if cost and money-back period matter most.
Pick Upgrad knowledgehut if free tier matter most.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | The TEFL Institute | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Online course platforms | 1 of 269 | 15 of 269 |
| Online professional certificates | 1 of 86 | 7 of 86 |
A third option
Fiszki has money-back period at 60 days, against 14 days for The TEFL Institute and 7 days for Upgrad knowledgehut.
Fiszki reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | The TEFL Institute | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Subjects | Languages | Coding, Data, It, Business |
| Certificate types | Completion, Professional | Completion, Professional |
| Credit recognition | Cpd, Ofqual | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | The TEFL Institute Limited | upGrad Education Private Limited |
| Headquarters | Ireland | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2017 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Phone |
Certifications
| Fact | The TEFL Institute | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Certification type | Tefl | It |
| Course hours | 120 hoursHigher | 16 hours |
| Teaching practicum | No | YesHas it |
| Accreditation | Deac | Not confirmed |
| Exam fee included | Yes | Yes |
| Tutor support | Yes | Yes |
| Job support | Yes | Yes |
| Typical completion time (weeks) | 2 to 4 | Not confirmed |
| Delivery | Online | Online, In personCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | The TEFL Institute | Upgrad knowledgehut | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Free trial length | 3 dayslowest quarter | Not confirmed | 14 days |
| Money-back period | 14 daysat the median | 7 dayslowest quarter | 14 days |
| Number of courses | Not confirmed | 250above the median | 240 |
| Access period | 6 monthslowest quarter | Not confirmed | 12 months |
Median across 169 listed providers.
Pros and cons
The TEFL Institute
Pros
- The exam fee is included in the course price, so there is no separate exam payment to budget for on top of tuition.
- The advanced TEFL course runs 120 hours of study, with a completion pace of 2 to 4 weeks for anyone planning a study schedule.
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre, so a phone line and a help centre sit alongside email during the course.
Cons
- There is no free tier, so the only no-cost option is the test TEFL course that runs 3 days.
- The certification carries no practicum, so supervised classroom practice has to be arranged outside the programme.
- A free trial length of 3 days places The TEFL Institute low on that measure among the brands compared here.
Upgrad knowledgehut
Pros
- The exam fee is included in the programme price, so the certificate does not add a second charge on the day of the test.
- Tutor support, a practicum and job support sit inside the same package, which covers more ground than a practice-test bundle such as CrackCerts at $9.99.
- Delivery spans online and in person formats, so the same IT programme works for a remote candidate and for an employer booking a room.
Cons
- The money-back period of 7 days is short, so a change of mind after the first week of a 16 hour course costs the fee.
- The listed certification type is it and the subjects are coding, data and it, so coaching, language and first aid certificates fall outside what this provider sells.
- Support runs on email, chat and phone channels, which leaves learners who prefer a written help centre or a community forum without one.
Who each suits
The TEFL Institute
Who it suits
- Learners who want a TEFL certificate with the exam fee already included and no separate certificate charge.
- Anyone who wants tutor support and job support built into the same course rather than sold as an add-on.
- Schools and employers buying training for several teachers, since a team plan is offered and lessons can be downloaded for offline study.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers set on the lowest entry price should start with DRCertifications, listed at $19.99.
- Anyone after a free catalogue to browse rather than a paid certificate should compare Hotmart, listed at $0.
- Shoppers after a fitness qualification rather than a TEFL certificate should compare Academy for Health and Fitness, listed at £25.
Upgrad knowledgehut
Who it suits
- IT candidates who want the exam fee, a practicum and tutor support settled in one payment.
- Learners who need job support alongside the certificate, since job support is part of the training.
- Employers sending several staff through the same certification, since a team plan is offered and delivery includes in-person training.
Who should look elsewhere
- Testprep Training at $12.99 fits candidates who only need exam practice and no tutor support.
- CrackCerts at $9.99 is the cheaper pick for self-study learners who want practice tests alone.
- Marisa Peer, whose listed certification type is coaching, serves coaching candidates rather than the IT track.
Current offers
The TEFL Institute
Current offer
Free trial
Free 3-Day Level 5 Diploma Trial: 3 days
Sample 3 real Level 5 Diploma modules with unlimited access over 3 days
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Questions about each
The TEFL Institute
How much does a TEFL certificate from The TEFL Institute cost?+
The listed entry price is $40 and the certificate fee is $0, so the certificate is not a separate charge added on afterwards. Read those lines together rather than the headline figure alone. A cheaper starting price elsewhere does not always mean a cheaper finished certificate, since certificate charges often sit outside the entry number.
Can I try The TEFL Institute for free before paying?+
There is no free tier, so nothing on the paid catalogue opens at no cost. What is free is a test TEFL course that runs 3 days, long enough to see how the material is organised and how the assessments are framed. It samples the course rather than granting permanent free access, so the paid course still has to be budgeted for.
Upgrad knowledgehut
What does an Upgrad Knowledgehut IT certification cost to start?+
The listed starting price is €305 for an IT certification programme, and the exam fee is included in that figure rather than charged later. Tutor support and a practicum come in the same package, which is where the money goes compared with a bare practice-test product.
Is tutor support included, or is it self-study?+
Tutor support is part of the training rather than an upsell, so a learner has someone to ask during the 16 hours of study. The programme also carries assessments and a practicum, which means the work is marked and practised rather than only watched. Job support is offered as well.
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