Guided Learning Hours or GLH are important in vocational qualifications due to their connection with the credits of the qualification. The Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF) regulations require awarding organisations to determine Credit values for their qualifications as a measure of size.
Key Takeaways
- Guided Learning Hours are supervised teaching hours set by awarding bodies for each vocational qualification in the UK.
- They are established by awarding bodies according to the course level and regulated to ensure consistency and fairness across all training providers.
- Completing the minimum required GLH is necessary to receive certification and may support university progression or exemptions.
Vocational education in the UK equips you with knowledge and practical skills that are linked to your career. These qualifications focus on real-world competency, providing hands-on training along with structured knowledge. Every qualification is assigned a specific number of Guided Learning Hours (GLH), which refers to time when learners are actively supported by a tutor, trainer, or assessor.
In this blog, we will discuss what GLH means and why it matters, and how it impacts learners, providers, and employers.
What Are Guided Learning Hours?
Guided Learning Hours (GLH) are the hours a learner spends being actively taught or supported by a tutor, trainer, or assessor. It is a direct contact time, which includes sitting in a classroom, attending an online session, or getting feedback during a practical task.
The distinction between guided learning and non-guided learning hours is often confused. Self-directed learning, such as revising at home, researching, writing assignments independently, or reading course materials without direct input from a tutor, are not part of GLH. These are non-guided learning hours, tracked separately under Total Qualification Time (TQT), which encompasses both guided and non-guided activities.
What counts as guided learning can vary a little depending on the course, but in most cases, it includes the following:
- Classroom-based lessons
- Live webinars or online training with a tutor present
- Supervised practical workshops
- Tutorials where feedback is being given in real-time
- Scheduled discussion or Q&A sessions with an assessor
It does not matter whether the learning happens in a physical classroom or online. What matters is that the learner is not doing it alone. They are being supported, prompted, or taught directly. GLH provides structure to the qualification, helping both learners and providers understand what to expect.
What is the Difference Between GLH and TQT?
In UK vocational qualifications, GLH (Guided Learning Hours) and TQT (Total Qualification Time) are both ways of measuring the overall size of a qualification. The difference between these learning time spans is explained in the following table.
| Guided Learning Hours | Total Qualification Time |
|---|---|
|
This includes the time spent on direct teaching, training, or supervision provided by a tutor, trainer, or instructor. |
Total time required to complete a qualification from learning to the assessment. |
|
This includes
|
This includes
|
|
It is measured by the time when trainers' input is required. |
This timeframe shows the overall commitment required for a qualification. |
|
The awarding organisation also sets a minimum requirement of GLH while developing the qualification. |
TQT is typically based on the credit value (1 credit = 10 hours of total time). |
Who Sets Guided Learning Hours and Why?
Guided Learning Hours are set by awarding organisations. These are the bodies responsible for designing and approving qualifications. These organisations determine how much direct teaching time is required to cover the course content adequately. They analyse the learning objectives, the depth of learning required, and how long a learner would reasonably need support from a tutor to achieve those outcomes.
The delivery of GLH can vary slightly to meet learners’ individual needs, especially in blended or distance learning environments. However, providers must still provide evidence that learners received adequate guided support.
While Ofqual does not set GLH directly, it monitors and approves how awarding organisations assign these values. The GLH must be realistic, evidence-based, and consistent with other qualifications of a similar size and level.
GLH also depends on the level of the qualification. A Level 1 course might need 30 guided hours, but a more complex Level 5 diploma could require 360 or more. The number reflects the depth and difficulty of the content, not just the size of the workbook or the number of units. It is about how much support a learner will need to develop the knowledge or skills to the required standard.
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Why Completing GLH is Mandatory by Awarding Organisations?
Guided Learning Hours are a minimum requirement where learners receive structured, tutor-led support necessary to develop the skills and knowledge outlined in the course objectives. They are set by awarding organisations to maintain the integrity and standard of each qualification.
The completion of GLH is mandatory, ensuring that all learners, regardless of their study mode, have equal access to guided instruction either it is hybrid learning or self-paced study. This also helps protect the credibility of the qualification, supports fair assessment, and ensures compliance with regulatory expectations set by Ofqual.
Can Guided Learning Hours Be Delivered Online?
Yes. Guided Learning Hours (GLH) can be delivered online or in person, ensuring structured tutor-led support. In virtual settings, GLH includes live webinars, interactive feedback sessions, or monitored e-learning where tutor engagement is clear. Pre-recorded videos and downloadable resources alone do not qualify as GLH, but when paired with discussion forums, scheduled Q&A sessions, or structured follow-up tasks with tutor oversight, they contribute to guided learning. The key factor is active tutor involvement, ensuring learners receive the necessary direction, interaction, and progress monitoring.
How Are Guided Learning Hours Recorded?
Guided Learning Hours (GLH) must be recorded using clear and reliable methods, depending on the delivery method of the qualification. Online training providers must demonstrate that learners are receiving structured support, which can be achieved through tracking live session attendance, monitoring time spent on tutor-led platforms, recording assignment feedback, or documenting structured activities where tutor input is actively provided. The goal is to ensure that every learner receives the guidance they need, with transparent records to support it.
Digital learning platforms can track:
- Logins and time spent on specific modules or structured learning paths
- Engagement in discussion forums or tutor-led chats or queries
- Assessment through quizzes, assignments, and creating samples of work
- Tutor feedback timestamps on marked submissions or interactive tasks
- Completion of tutor-directed activities, such as reflections or workbook tasks with check-ins
During internal or external quality assurance (IQA/EQA), awarding bodies may review these records to ensure the stated GLH is being delivered.
Why GLH Matters for Employers and Training Providers?
Guided learning hours provide a structured learning, which makes them important for employers and training providers. GLH ensures that consistent standards are followed throughout the qualification. The following are the reasons why GLH matter for employers and training providers.
- Consistent Delivery: GLH standardise the duration of qualifications to meet learning outcomes across different training providers.
- Resource Planning: GLH help providers schedule tutor time, organise content, and manage delivery effectively.
- Funding Eligibility: GLH are used by funding bodies to confirm if a course meets the minimum requirements for public support.
- Inspection Compliance: GLH helps demonstrate to Ofsted and regulators that learners are receiving the guided hours stated.
- Certification Requirements: Meeting minimum GLH is essential for awarding body certification and university progression.
Conclusion
Guided Learning Hours set the structure for how vocational education is delivered, assessed, and supported across the UK. GLH plays a central role in keeping qualifications consistent and credible, whether you are a learner trying to understand what your study time will look like or a provider planning the delivery of a qualification.
