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YOUR COURSE COULD BE FREE

Please find below an explanation of who might be entitled to a free course. Please note we try to keep this page up to date as much as we can but some information is subject to change. We firmly encourage anyone with queries about funding to get in touch by calling 01752 305300 or send an e-mail to info@cityplym.ac.uk.

Funding for Adults

Level 1 and 2 Courses

Those who are employed and earning less than £25,000 (with effect from 1 August 2024), are eligible to study a variety of level 1 and full level 2 courses, for FREE! Your household income is not taken into account for this criteria – eligibility is based on your income alone.

Those who are in receipt of certain means-tested state benefits such as Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance could be entitled to a free level 1 or 2 course.

If you are aged 19 to 23, you might be able to study a course at this level for free if you have not studied at this level before.

People of all ages can study GCSE maths and English for free if you do not have a grade 4 (a grade C) or above in these subjects. Functional skills in English and maths can also be studied for free by adults of any age providing they haven’t achieved a level 2 qualification in these subjects.

Level 3 and Above

To find out which courses are covered by the Lifetime Skills Guarantee or the Courses for Jobs offer, call our team on 01752 305300.

If you are aged between 19 and 23 and you do not currently hold a full level 3 qualification (and meet residency criteria) you can study a full level 3 course for free.

If you are 19 or over and do not already have a level 3 qualification (equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma, or A levels) or higher, you can access a free level 3 qualification as part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee. Not all level 3 courses are eligible for funding via the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, but many of our courses are.

The Level 3 Courses for Jobs initiative is aimed at those who are unemployed or earning less than £25,000 (with effect from 1 August 2024). Those who fall into this category can study a level 3 course for FREE regardless of their age or previous qualifications. The National Skills Fund only covers certain courses.

Advanced Learner Loans

The Advanced Learner Loan enables any student (aged 19 or over) studying a level 3 (equivalent to A Level) or above further education course to apply for a loan to cover their course fees. See the Advanced Learner Loan page for more information and how to apply.

To see what you could be entitled to, try the eligibility calculator here.