Maximise your potential with an online training course.
Whether you’re looking to upskill in your current profession, retrain or simply learn something new, there is a wide range of distance learning courses available to adults aged 19 or over. This includes FREE online courses with qualifications and non-accredited courses.
By choosing to study an online course, you can study at your own pace whilst benefiting from high-quality teaching and support from our experienced teachers.
Free online courses*
For those looking to retrain, we offer a series of FREE introductory courses that provide you with an insight into the industry and teaches those essential skills. From here, you can continue onto higher-level qualifications to study either online or on-campus.
If you’re wanting to upskill, these courses can support your development in industry-specific skills or your general professional development.
Eligibility criteria
Courses are completely free for anyone aged 19 or over (on the 31st August 2023), irrespective of your current employment status, but you must live in England and NOT live in one of the locations listed here.
Applicants aged 19-23 must already have a full level 2 qualification to be eligible.
Business
Free courses*
Childcare
Free courses*
Employability
Functional Skills
These courses focus on gaining basic English and maths skills and how to apply them in everyday life.
Free courses*
Want 2 Work
These courses are aimed at individuals who are currently looking for entry-level employment within the relevant industry. The topics have been carefully selected to give you awareness of some of the key areas of this type of employment and will give you basic knowledge that can be discussed in an interview or prepare you for further study.
Free courses*
First aid
Short courses (FREE subject to eligibility, view course to find out more)
Green skills
These qualifications have been developed to meet the industry standards required to support the transition to net zero. They will give you the professional edge in the sector which is valued by employers.
Free courses*
Health and social care
Free courses*
Short courses (FREE subject to eligibility, view course to find out more)
Hospitality and Cookery
Short courses (FREE subject to eligibility, view course to find out more)
Retail and warehousing
Free courses*
IMPORTANT
We can’t accept applications from learners who live in the following locations:
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
Greater London Authority
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland Combined Authority
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
Tees Valley Combined Authority
West Midlands Combined Authority
West of England Combined Authority
If you’re unsure whether you are eligible to apply, please sign up using our simple online form where we will check your eligibility.
Frequently asked questions
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Am I eligible to study one of the free courses?
The distance learning courses are completely free for anyone aged 19 or over (on the 31st August 2023), irrespective of their current employment status, but applicants must live in England and NOT live in one of the locations listed below. Applicants aged 19-23 must already have a full level 2 qualification to be eligible.
Unfortunately we can’t accept applications from learners who live in the following locations:
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
- Greater London Authority
- Greater Manchester Combined Authority
- Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
- Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland Combined Authority
- South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
- Tees Valley Combined Authority
- West Midlands Combined Authority
- West of England Combined Authority
If you’re unsure whether you are eligible to apply, please sign up using our simple online form where we will check your eligibility.
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How long will it take to complete the course?
You’ll have three months to complete the course, but you can complete it within two weeks if you spend more time studying. Each level 2 course will usually take 30-50 hours to complete.
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Is a distance learning course for me?
A distance learning course, or online learning as it is sometimes referred to, enables you to undertake a recognised qualification in a flexible way; you can study around your existing commitments and responsibilities, and it is great for developing your confidence in your new found skills. If you are employed, furloughed, or unemployed and looking to get back into work, an online course could give you the motivation you need to succeed in your goals.
A distance learning course is also ideal if you are looking to further develop existing skills in order to progress within your current company or would like to start your own business. Our online courses are for adults aged 19 and over who are looking to develop new knowledge and skills to improve job prospects, with a wide variety of subjects to choose from. The courses are designed to fit around other responsibilities such as full or part-time work, home schooling or caring responsibilities, and are to be completed within three months from enrolment.
Your assessor will email you shortly after enrolling to introduce themselves and to provide you with some assessment guidelines; the assessor is there to help and advise you with any queries during your course, and provide the support necessary for you to succeed. Once you’ve passed your qualification you will receive a certificate from the awarding body, providing evidence of your learning to existing or new employers.
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How can I get more information
If you’d like more information, please send us an email stating which course/s you’d like more information about.
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How do I sign up for a course?
All you need to do is sign up using our simple online form.
Once submitted, our team will review your information to ensure you are eligible to study the course (we will get in touch should there be in any issues).
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you’ll be sent an email which contains a link to our online enrolment form for you to complete.
Your enrolment details will then be processed by our team and you will receive an email that will contain a link for you to access your course materials. Please allow 3-5 working days for your enrolment details to be processed.
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What equipment will I need?
Ideally you’ll need a laptop or tablet, along with internet access, to undertake the course; you may be able to complete the course using a mobile phone, depending on the screen size, but it won’t be as easy to complete all the online resources and assessments.
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Can I enrol on to more than one course?
You can enrol on to more than one course, but you’ll only be able to access the materials for one course at a time. Once you’ve completed a course, send us an email and we’ll add the next course onto your profile.
Get in touch
Personalised advice on online courses
Returning to education can feel overwhelming, especially when considering factors such as choosing the right course, balancing studies around a full-time job or family commitments, and the financial aspect of course fees.
Don't let these concerns be a barrier! Take the next step by completing our online enquiry form. Our friendly team will be in touch to explore all the options available to you.
Ask online
or call us on 0808 100 3626.