Course fees and funding

The Learning and Skills Service is government funded via the Education and Skills Funding Agency in combination with European Social Fund.

To access training all learners are subject to funding eligibility. All learners must be aged 19 or over on the 31 August 2022. We ask all learners for eligibility evidence on enrolment. This might include proof of address, payslips, and photographic ID.

If you are unemployed and in receipt of state benefit or are working and earn less than £20,319, then you are likely to be entitled to a free course (eligibility requirements apply).

When you enrol you will need your personal details including address, date of birth, telephone number, national insurance number and information about any benefits you receive and information on previous learning you have completed.

19+ year olds

English and maths courses are free for learners who do not hold a GCSE grade C or above.

19 to 23-year-olds

If you are aged 19-23 you can access a free course if you are:

• studying a qualification up to and including level 1 to help you move up to level 2
• studying for your first full level 2 qualification
• studying for level 2 but have already achieved a level 2 or higher and are currently unemployed
• studying for your first full level 3 qualification

24+ and unemployed

If you are unemployed and over the age of 24 you can access a free course if you are:

• studying a qualification up to and including level 1 to help you progress to level 2
• studying for your first full level 2 qualification
• studying for level 2 but have already achieved a level 2 or higher and are currently unemployed