Learning for Free in the UK

These days, you do not always have to pay tocan obtain free tuition if you receive
learn, especially for courses that involve basic literacyJobseeker’s Allowance, Council Tax Benefit,
and numeracy. In some cases, you may also notHousing Benefit, Income Support and Working Tax
have to pay to take courses for your firstCredit if your household income is less than £15,000
qualification that is equivalent to GCSEs or A levels inper year. Those who are unemployed and are
the UK. These days, you do not always have to payfinancially dependent on someone receiving benefits
to learn, especially for courses that involve basicwill also qualify.
literacy and numeracy. In some cases, you may alsoWhen you have chosen a course then you will need
not have to pay to take courses for your firstto provide evidence that you are entitled to study
qualification that is equivalent to GCSEs or A levels infor free. It may also be worth seeing if you can
the UK.obtain any further financial help for the duration of
Am I Eligible for Free Courses and Tuition?your studies.
If you currently do not have any GCSEs, A levels or 
equivalent qualifications then you could be eligible toFurther Opportunities to Learn for Free:
study for these courses without having to pay tuitionYou may find that your current employers are also
fees.able to offer you some form of training and
There are also numerous options available for freeadditional studying for free if this is relevant to the
study if the course will ultimately lead to your first fulljob that you do. There are also options available for
Level 2 qualification, or for those under 25 you will bethose who are unemployed and if this applies to you
working to obtain your first full Level 3 qualification.then you should seek further information regarding
If you receive certain types of benefits then youNew Deal and other such courses.
may also find that additional courses are available toThere are also a number of opportunities to study
you for free. The Learning and Skills Council canfor free online. A quick search will show that you can
provide funding for a wide range of courses and, iffind courses in literacy, numeracy, computing,
the one you choose is funded by them, then youlanguages and a wide range of other topics.