How you can study
Mentor Led, Online with Support or Full Time. Here's exactly what each one means, how you're assessed and what it costs.
Compare themethods.
| Study method | Mentor Led | Online with Support | Full Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who teaches you | You're matched with a dedicated mentor who's a working personal trainer in your region. They teach, coach, mark your work and prepare you for assessment, with direct, personal support throughout. | Study on our learning platform with online tutor support and our support team. The support is more basic than a dedicated mentor, so it suits learners who need less direct guidance. | A full-time, structured programme, usually delivered as a funded course, with teaching in person and a clear timetable. |
| How you're assessed | Assessed one-to-one by your mentor in a gym or health club, with feedback on the day. | Your practical is taken in a gym: at an assessment day, or recorded in a gym and sent to your assessor. | Assessed as part of the programme, in a gym. |
| Price | More direct support, so a higher price, for example £699 for Level 2 or Level 3. | A lower price than Mentor Led, for example £499 for Level 2 or Level 3. | Usually funded, so often free if you qualify. |
| Best for | Anyone who wants direct, personal support, including complete beginners. | Confident learners who are happy to work independently and need less direct support. | People who can commit to full-time study, usually on a funded place. |
Both are equally flexible, so you can study around your own life. The difference is how much direct support you get. Either way you'll learn on our own learning platform, your practical assessment takes place in a gym, and resits are free.
Dedicated mentor
Mentor Led
Your own dedicated mentor, an active PT.
- How you learn
- You're matched with a dedicated mentor who's a working personal trainer in your region. They teach, coach, mark your work and prepare you for assessment, with direct, personal support throughout.
- How you're assessed
- Assessed one-to-one by your mentor in a gym or health club, with feedback on the day.
- Best for
- Anyone who wants direct, personal support, including complete beginners.
- Price
- More direct support, so a higher price, for example £699 for Level 2 or Level 3.
Available on
- Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instruction · £699
- Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training · £699
- Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Gym Instructing and Personal Training · £1,495
- Level 3 Personal Training in Different Environments · £595
- Notorious November Bundle · £1,500
- New Career Expert PT Bundle · £2,025
- 20 for 20 Bundle · £2,000
- Gold Diploma · £999
Basic support
Online with Support
Learn online with more basic support.
- How you learn
- Study on our learning platform with online tutor support and our support team. The support is more basic than a dedicated mentor, so it suits learners who need less direct guidance.
- How you're assessed
- Your practical is taken in a gym: at an assessment day, or recorded in a gym and sent to your assessor.
- Best for
- Confident learners who are happy to work independently and need less direct support.
- Price
- A lower price than Mentor Led, for example £499 for Level 2 or Level 3.
Available on
- Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instruction · £699
- Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training · £699
- Level 3 GP Referral (Exercise Referral) · £595
- Level 3 Award in Nutrition for Physical Activity · £499
- Level 4 Certificate in Strength and Conditioning (RQF) · £595
- Level 4 Certificate in Exercise for Managing Lower Back Pain · £595
- Level 4 Certificate in Physical Activity and Weight Management for Obese Clients · £595
- Level 4 Certificate for Advanced Personal Trainers (RQF) · £1,195
Rare
Full Time
A structured full-time programme, usually funded.
- How you learn
- A full-time, structured programme, usually delivered as a funded course, with teaching in person and a clear timetable.
- How you're assessed
- Assessed as part of the programme, in a gym.
- Best for
- People who can commit to full-time study, usually on a funded place.
- Price
- Usually funded, so often free if you qualify.
Available on
Studyquestions
Which study method is best for a complete beginner?
Mentor Led, if you want direct support. Having a dedicated PT mentor beside you makes the first steps easier. Online with Support suits confident learners who need less hands-on help.
Can I do everything online?
You can learn online, but practical assessment takes place in a gym, either at an assessment day, with your mentor, or recorded in a gym and sent to your assessor.
What's the difference between Mentor Led and Online with Support?
Both are equally flexible, so you study around your own life either way. The difference is the support. Mentor Led gives you a dedicated mentor, a working PT who teaches, coaches and assesses you. Online with Support gives you tutor and support-team help that's more basic, which suits people who need less direct support, usually at a lower price.
What is Full Time?
A structured full-time programme, usually delivered as a funded course. It's rare, so ask us if you think you qualify for funding.
Can I change method later?
Talk to your enrolment team. Call 0121 366 0292 and they'll explain what's possible for your course.
Do I need a gym for any method?
Your practical assessment takes place in a gym with the equipment you'll use as a trainer: one-to-one with your mentor, at an assessment day, or recorded in a gym and sent to your assessor.