Free Courses for Jobs explained

These are the rules for England in the 2026/27 academic year (1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027). They change each August.

Looking for a free course? Whether it's free depends on the course, so choose one first, then check if you're eligible for it. How it works

Free Courses for Jobs pays for some qualifications that help adults get a job or a better one. It covers Level 3 courses in many subjects, and some Level 2 courses in construction, engineering and manufacturing. It’s paid for by the Adult Skills Fund.

These are the rules for England in 2026/27, for courses that start between 1 August 2026 and 31 July 2027.

Who can get a free course

You can usually get a Free Courses for Jobs course fully paid for if you were 19 or over on 31 August 2026 and either:

• you’re unemployed, or
• you earn less than £26,800 a year before tax

If you’re 19 to 23 and don’t have a full Level 3 qualification yet, you can get a Level 3 course free whatever you earn, if the course is on the approved list.

For the Level 2 construction, engineering and manufacturing courses, you can usually take one free if you’re 19 or over and don’t already have a Level 2 in that subject.

You also need to meet the usual rules on where you live. You must live in England, outside a devolved area (or your combined authority or council must fund the course), and normally live in the UK. Read who can get a free course for the full rules.

Which courses count

Only qualifications on the government’s approved list count. The list includes:

• Level 3 qualifications of at least 60 guided learning hours, in 21 subject areas. These include health and social care, child development and well-being, accounting and finance, business management, digital technology, engineering, building and construction, hospitality and catering, public services, and teaching and lecturing.
• Level 2 qualifications of at least 180 guided learning hours in construction, engineering and manufacturing.

From August 2026, 72 more engineering and manufacturing qualifications were approved for the list.

Not every Level 3 course is on the list. To check one, ask the provider, or search for it on the Department for Education’s qualifications website. The record shows if it’s approved for Free Courses for Jobs and when that ends.

If you live in a devolved area

From 1 August 2026, 20 areas of England run their own adult skills funding. They include Greater London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. In these areas, the local authority in charge decides which Free Courses for Jobs courses it funds and who can get them.

If you live in one of them, your combined authority or local council sets the rules. They may be similar to the national ones, but not always. Some national providers can’t take learners from these areas. Read more about devolved areas.

If you can’t get it free

If you’re 24 or over and earn £26,800 or more, you may not be able to get the course free. You could:

• ask the provider if your employer could pay, or if they offer a lower fee
• take an Advanced Learner Loan for a Level 3 course, which you only repay once you earn over £25,000 (see Advanced Learner Loans for the details)

Things to check before you sign up

• Is it the right course? Ask what jobs it leads to, and if it’s taught online or in person.
• How long will it take? Level 3 courses can take several months to a year. Ask the provider.
• Are there any fees? The course should be free if you’re eligible, but some providers charge admin or withdrawal fees. We found examples of these on provider websites in October 2026. Read what ‘free’ really means.
• Is the information current? Approvals change each August. Make sure the course is approved for 2026/27.

The provider checks your eligibility and makes the final decision.

Check if you can get a course for free

Whether you can study for free depends on the course you choose and on finding a provider that can fund you. So start with the course:

1. Choose a course you're interested in.
2. Answer a few quick questions in the "Am I eligible?" check on its page.
3. See whether you're likely to be eligible, and which providers offer that course.

Or choose a subject:

• Health & social care courses
• Mental health courses
• Childcare courses
• Business courses
• English, maths & digital courses

The check is a guide, not a promise. The provider makes the final decision.

Questions

I already have a Level 3. Can I still get a free course?

Possibly. If you're unemployed or earn under £26,800, having a Level 3 doesn't always rule you out, but your past qualifications can matter for some courses, so ask the provider. If you're 19 to 23, the 'whatever you earn' rule only applies if you don't have a full Level 3 yet.

Is Free Courses for Jobs the same as the Adult Skills Fund?

It's part of it. Free Courses for Jobs is paid for out of the Adult Skills Fund, with its own list of approved courses.

How do I know if a course is on the list?

Ask the provider, or search for the qualification on the Department for Education's qualifications website. Its record shows whether it's approved for Free Courses for Jobs and until when.

I live in a devolved area. Can I get one?

Your combined authority or local council decides which courses it funds, and it may use different rules. Ask a college or provider that's funded in your area.

Can I study it online?

Some providers offer Free Courses for Jobs courses online, but many are taught at a college, especially practical subjects like construction and engineering.

Sources

• Adult skills fund: funding and performance management rules 2026 to 2027gov.uk
• Qualification funding approval manual - Free courses for jobs - Guidancegov.uk
• DfE Update further education: 15 July 2026gov.uk
• 2026 to 2027 devolution postcode dataset guidancegov.uk
• Overview - List of Qualifications approved for fundingqualifications.education.gov.uk

Last reviewed: 20 October 2026