Free courses give you the opportunity to explore different subjects, ignite an interest, improve your wellbeing and help your CV stand out if you are job searching.
We've pulled together a list of some good places to start in your course search, most of which are free:
Free Level 3 Courses for Jobs
If you're 19 and over, you could access free courses as part of support available from the government to enhance your job prospects and improve your earning potential. A level 3 qualification is equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma and there are a range of subjects on offer. Eligibility criteria:
- Are 19 or over and do not already have a level 3 qualification
- already have a level 3 qualification or higher but earn below the National Living Wage annually (£20,319 from April 2023)
- already have a level 3 qualification or higher but are unemployed
You can search the database of courses available via the National Careers Service Directory
The National Careers Service also has some useful tips on writing CVs which can be found here https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/cv-sections
Mayor of London’s Employability Skills Programmes
There are thousands of adult learning courses available from the Mayor of London’s employability skills programmes. If you are a Londoner on a low income, unemployed, or age 19-23, you could access some courses for free.
Free Courses in England
Offers range of flexible government funded Level 2 courses to people over the age of 19 in subjects such as Care, Business, Health and Social Care and Hospitality. All free courses are nationally recognised, available to adults on Universal Credit and are popular amongst unemployed adults looking to get into work. To qualify, must be over 19, have been resident in the UK/EU for 3+ years, for purposes other than study and not be on an apprenticeship.
OpenLearn by The Open University
Free online courses in hundreds of subjects open to anyone over 13 with an interest in a topic and available at different levels depending on your existing knowledge.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy offers free online courses in various subjects for adults and children, particularly in mathematics and science. It's a great resource for building foundational skills.
FutureLearn
FutureLearn offers a mix of free and paid courses from universities and institutions around the world. Many courses are free to take, with the option to purchase a certificate.
Google Digital Garage
Google Digital Garage provides free online courses on digital skills, including digital marketing, coding, and career development.
The Skills Toolkit
This UK government site offers free courses to help individuals develop their digital and numeracy skills. It includes courses on using online tools, programming, and more.
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/find-a-course/the-skills-toolkit
Alison
Alison offers free online courses across a variety of subjects. While some courses are free, others may require payment for certification. Courses are also available in different languages: Spanish, Italian, French and Brazilian-Portuguese.