Level 4 Certificate in Learning, Development and Pedagogy

What is the OTHM Level 4 Certificate in Learning, Development and Pedagogy?

The OTHM Level 4 Certificate in Learning, Development and Pedagogy is a teaching qualification which has a teaching/training practice requirement. It is an ‘in service’ qualification designed for those working or wishing to work as teachers/trainers in England. All learners must have access to 36 hours of teaching and there must be a minimum of three observations of practice, totalling a minimum of three hours.

The objective of the OTHM Level 4 Certificate in Learning, Development and Pedagogy qualification is to give the learner the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills needed to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in terms of learning programmes, development of resources and their subject specific pedagogy. This includes the planning and delivering of schemes of work and sessions, negotiation of individual goals, different teaching and learning strategies, communication issues and developing and evaluating one’s own pedagogical practice in their selected subject area.

Who is this qualification for?

This Level 4 certificate suits learners who have finished Level 3 study or have relevant work experience and want a first year of degree-level learning in learning, development and pedagogy.

• Study fully online with tutor support through HRCourses, with no fixed timetable.
• Assessment by assignments, so you can evidence learning from your own workplace.
• Each level carries 120 credits, so you can progress one level at a time.

Entry requirements

This qualification is designed for learners who are typically aged 19 and above.

The entry profile for learners must include:

• Being 19 years old or older at the beginning of the course 
• Minimum core of literacy, language, numeracy and ICT
• A minimum of a Level 3 qualification in their own area of specialism

Or the following:

• Be mature learners (over 21) with relevant management experience (learners must check with the delivery centre regarding this experience prior to registering for the programme).

If a learner is not from a majority English-speaking country, they must provide evidence of English language competency. For more information visit the English Language Expectations page on the OTHM website.

Qualification structure and units

The OTHM Level 4 Certificate in Learning, Development and Pedagogy qualification consists of 5 mandatory units, 36 credits, 360 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT) and the recommended Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for this qualification is a minimum of 125 hours.

Source: OTHM qualification specification (PDF) · Ofqual qualification number 610/3489/7.

Duration and delivery

The qualification is designed to be delivered over one academic year for full-time study, but it is also flexible in its delivery in order to accommodate part-time and distance learning.

The qualification is delivered face-to-face, through lectures, tutorials, seminars, distance, online by approved centres only.

At HRCourses the qualification is delivered online: you receive the unit materials, assignment briefs and tutor support through the learning platform and submit assignments when you are ready. There are no fixed lecture times, so you can start in any month.

How you are assessed

All units within this qualification are assessed and internally quality assured by the centre and externally verified by OTHM. The qualifications are criterion referenced, based on the achievement of all the specified learning outcomes.

To achieve a ‘pass’ for a unit, learners must provide evidence to demonstrate that they have fulfilled all the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by all assessment criteria. Judgement that the learners have successfully fulfilled the assessment criteria is made by the assessor.

Specific assessment guidance and relevant marking criteria for each unit are made available in the Assignment Brief document. These are made available to centres immediately after registration of one or more learners.

The assessor should provide an audit trail showing how the judgement of the learners’ overall achievement has been arrived at.

Progression and career routes

Successful completion of the OTHM Level 4 Certificate in Learning, Development and Pedagogy supports progression to the next RQF level and to employment in learning, development and pedagogy roles.

What is included when you study the OTHM Level 4 Certificate in Learning, Development and Pedagogy with HRCourses

Last updated October 2026. Fees and inclusions are confirmed in writing before you pay.

Fees and how to apply

1. Enquire or apply Use the enquiry form (or Apply now, where available) with this qualification pre-selected. Tell us your current qualifications and experience so we can confirm you meet the entry requirements.
2. Confirmation and fee link An adviser replies within one working day with the fee, start date and a secure link to pay in full or on an instalment plan.
3. Start your course As soon as your course fee (or first instalment, if you chose a plan) is paid, you receive your learning-platform login and can begin the first unit. There is no fixed intake date.

Progression path

1. Level 4 Certificate
2. Level 5 Diploma in Human Resource Management

Related HR qualifications

• Level 4 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring to Build Relationships
• Level 4 Diploma in Coaching (Health Practitioner)
• Level 4 Certificate in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion