Course comparison
SSI Swim Teacher Level 1 vs Level 2: Which Course Should You Take?
A side-by-side comparison of SSI Level 1 and Level 2 to help you choose the correct professional pathway.
Penguin Academy7 min read
Direct answer
Level 1 is the entry pathway for SSI Aquatike and Beginner programmes. Level 2 builds on it for Intermediate, Advanced and Swim Team Prep programmes. Both have a minimum age of 18, but Level 2 requires SSI Level 1 with no equivalency permitted.
- Start with
- Level 1
- Level 1 duration
- 24–28 hours
- Level 2 duration
- 23–27 hours
- Price per course
- SGD 1,688
Level 1 vs Level 2 at a glance
- Minimum age: 18 for both programmes.
- Prerequisite: Level 1 has no prior swim-teacher certification listed; Level 2 requires SSI Level 1 with no equivalency permitted.
- SSI recommended duration: 24–28 hours for Level 1 and 23–27 hours for Level 2.
- Programme scope: Level 1 covers Aquatike and Beginner; Level 2 adds Intermediate, Advanced and Swim Team Prep.
- Penguin Academy price: SGD 1,688 for either course, with full SSI React Right included.
Who should take Level 1?
A new candidate entering the SSI swim-teacher pathway should begin with Level 1. It establishes the teaching foundation for Aquatike I–III and Beginner I–III and is the required prerequisite for Level 2.
Level 1 includes an apprenticeship of at least four Aquatike lessons and four Beginner lessons, with a recommended cumulative time of at least four hours.
Who should take Level 2?
Level 2 is for SSI Level 1 Swim Teachers progressing toward more advanced learner development. Its active-status scope adds Intermediate I–II, Advanced I–II and Swim Team Prep to the programmes a Level 1 teacher may conduct.
The Level 2 apprenticeship requires at least four Intermediate lessons and two Advanced lessons, with a recommended cumulative time of at least three hours.
Price and bundle options
Penguin Academy’s current published price is SGD 1,688 for Level 1 and SGD 1,688 for Level 2. Each includes full SSI React Right: First Aid & CPR, AED Provider and Oxygen Provider.
The any-two-teacher-course bundle is SGD 2,888. Level 1 and Level 2 can be selected as the two courses, but the bundle does not waive the Level 1 prerequisite for Level 2 or either programme’s completion requirements.
Which should you choose?
Choose Level 1 if you are new to the SSI professional swim-teacher pathway. Choose Level 2 only after earning SSI Level 1 and when your intended teaching includes Intermediate, Advanced or Swim Team Prep programmes.
Level 2 is broader, but it is not a replacement for the Level 1 foundation. The most appropriate pathway is the one that matches your current qualification and the programmes you genuinely intend to teach.
Your next step
Get the pathway details that apply to you.
Review the verified course page or speak directly with Penguin Academy before enrolling.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Can I take SSI Level 2 without Level 1?
No. SSI requires its Level 1 Swim Teacher certification and states that no equivalency is permitted.
Which course should a new candidate take first?
Level 1, because it is the foundational pathway and the required prerequisite for Level 2.
What can Level 2 conduct that Level 1 cannot?
Within SSI’s active-status scope, Level 2 adds Intermediate I–II, Advanced I–II and Swim Team Prep.
Do both courses require an apprenticeship?
Yes. The required lesson types and recommended cumulative hours differ for each programme.
Does the SGD 2,888 bundle waive the Level 2 prerequisite?
No. Pricing does not change SSI prerequisites or completion requirements.
Official sources
Course standards and external requirements can change. These primary sources were checked when this guide was updated.
Last updated 13 October 2026.