Free Courses
Everyone likes something for free, right? Eligibility is based on three key factors – your age, employment status and choice of qualification. You don’t normally have to pay course fees if any of the following applies:
Age | Employment status | Courses you can study for free |
16-18 | Any | All level 1, 2 and 3 courses are free. |
Any | Any | Entry level English and maths, GCSE English and maths and functional skills English and maths are free, as long as you have not already achieved grade C, 4 or above before you enrol. |
19-24 holding an education health care plan (EHCP) | Any | All courses until you reach the age of 25. |
19-23 | Any | You can study your first level 1, 2, or full level 3 qualification for free, if you have not already achieved a qualification at that level. For non-full level 3 courses you would need to apply for an advanced learner loan. |
19+ | Unemployed, looking for work and in receipt of eligible benefits* | There is no cost for studying a level 1 or 2 qualification, even if you already have a qualification at that level – unless your prior qualification is not a full level 2 and the course you wish to study is not a full level 2, in which case course fees do apply. |
19+ | Any | Students aged 19 or over who earn up to £17,364.50 annual gross salary are entitled to free courses on level 1 and 2 – unless your prior attained qualification is not a full level 2 and the course you wish to study is not a full level 2, in which case course fees do apply. |
*Eligible benefits include Job Seekers’ Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit. Wider benefits will also be considered on an individual basis.
