GOV.UK offers free courses and qualifications for adults to improve their skills

GOV.UK offers free courses and qualifications for adults to improve their skills

GOV.UK is a website for parents, students, education professionals and the media, covering everything you need to know about the education system. If you are over 19, you can take a Level 3 qualification for free. It's part of the support the government offers to help you get the skills you need to get your dream job, whatever stage of life you're at.

Subjects you can take

There are over 400 different subject areas available.

You can choose from a variety of subjects, including accounting, digital, health and social care, construction, early years, catering, agriculture and more.

Entry requirements

The government will pay for you to do a course if you’re at least 19 years old and you either:

do not already have a level 3 qualification have a level 3 qualification but you earn less than the National Living Wage

What free courses and qualifications are available?

Free courses include:

Skills Bootcamps: Free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks which help you develop new skills that employers are looking for, available in areas from digital to health and social care. Free Courses For Jobs: The government might pay for you to take a course that helps you learn new skills or apply for work. Multiply: Free courses to improve your maths skills. Essential Skills: Courses that help you get English, maths or digital skills for everyday life. You can also find out more about:

Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs): Qualifications developed with employers so you can get the right training and skills to succeed at work. Apprenticeships: Real jobs that let you earn a wage while you learn.

What you can study

Qualifications are currently available in:

accounting and finance agriculture building and construction business management childcare and early years digital engineering environmental conservation health and social care horticulture and forestry hospitality and catering manufacturing technologies mathematics and statistics medicine and dentistry public services science teaching and lecturing transportation operations and maintenance warehousing and distribution

How to apply

Use the National Careers Service course finder to see which courses are available for free in your local area. Set the distance you’re willing to travel. Some can be studied part-time or online.

Contact the college or training provider. Confirm they offer the qualification you’re interested in, check the admissions criteria and apply for the course.

If you’re accepted, you will not have to pay a course fee. You may also be able to get help to pay for childcare, travel and other costs.

How to apply

The courses are designed to help you look for work and could help you earn a higher wage.

After your free course

Whether you're starting your first job, looking to change careers or want to upgrade your skills, we invest in training programs to help you achieve your goals. There are thousands of free courses for young people and adults to choose from that can help you gain the skills you need to get a good, high-paying job.