Funding for professional courses and apprenticeships 2024-25

There are a variety of funding options to help with the cost of professional qualifications. Depending on the level, fees may be partly or fully covered by government funding. If you’re not eligible, you may be able to access an Advanced Learner Loan.

Contact your local college’s student services team for details on course fees and funding. See below some examples of available funding and loan options.

Level 2 & 3: Adult Skills Fund (Formerly, Adult Education Budget)

As of August 2024, the Adult Skills Fund replaced the Adult Education Budget. This funding is available to learners 19+ and can help adults upskill, or learn new skills, increasing their chances of obtaining job opportunities. This new fund aims to make funding more accessible to people in non-devolved areas.

Level 3: Free Courses for Jobs

Free Courses for Jobs covers a variety of subjects, including bookkeeping, accounting, and management. The aim of this funding is to boost career opportunities and income potential. Funded courses are available to those aged 19+, and who earn below £25,000 or are unemployed. This eligibility criteria might differ slightly depending on where you live. 

Level 4: Advanced Learner Loans

Advanced Learner Loans are available for courses at Level 3 and above. These loans work similarly to university tuition loans and are repayable only when earnings exceed a specific income threshold. You should discuss options for loans directly with your college or training provider. 

Learners living in devolved areas may qualify for free courses where certain qualifications are considered a local priority need. Some of the devolved regions include:

• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
• Greater Manchester
• North of Tyne
• South Yorkshire
• Tees Valley
• West Midlands
• West of England
• West Yorkshire

Your local college should know of these opportunities.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are also an alternative path to upskilling and/or developing relevant workplace competencies. These however do not require any funding and are eligible for:

• 16–18 years old,
• 19–25 with an Education, Health, and Care Plan, or
• 19–25 and a former care leaver.

Employers receive a £1,000 incentive for hiring apprentices from these groups, which helps cover supportive costs like travel expenses or additional training materials. This financial assistance empowers learners, reducing financial barriers to training.

To explore these opportunities further, prospective learners should contact local colleges or training providers, who can clarify eligibility and funding options for courses under these schemes. Many providers also offer guidance on available financial aid, including loans and grants, for adult learners across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

We deliver our flexible courses in partnership with colleges and training providers, so our partners are best placed to discuss the various funding options available to you. Visit the locations page on our website to see which of our partners is nearest to you and speak to them about our part-time, professional courses and apprenticeships.