What 'free' really means: fees, deadlines and what to check
Lots of adult courses are advertised as free. In our experience, many really are free for people who are eligible: the government pays the course fees, and there’s no loan to repay. But “free” can come with conditions, and some providers charge fees if things don’t go to plan.
This page explains what the rules say, what we’ve seen on provider websites, and what to check before you sign up.
How we checked. Between 17 and 20 October 2026 we read 404 course listings on the websites of 185 providers. Where this page says “we found”, it means those listings. Providers change their pages, so treat the figures as examples, not a promise.
What the rules say
If you’re fully funded through the Adult Skills Fund, the funding rules say the provider must not make you pay for the direct costs of your course. That includes any essential activities or materials. If you need a DBS check for the course, the provider can’t charge you for it. If the course is linked to a job, your employer is responsible for the check and its cost. Ask the provider whether exam or assessment fees are included.
But we couldn’t find anything in the funding rules about admin fees or withdrawal fees. That’s where most of the catches are.
The catches
Withdrawal and admin fees
Many online providers ask you to agree to a fee if you leave the course early, or don’t finish it in time. When we checked provider websites in October 2026 (see “How we checked” above), the fees we found were between £85 and £249. The most common were £125 to £150.
These fees are usually in the terms and conditions, or in the enrolment form. They’re easy to miss.
Deadlines
Many free online courses have a time limit to finish. In the listings we read it was often between 6 and 16 weeks, and sometimes longer. If you don’t finish in time, some providers charge the withdrawal fee. Ask how long you have, and whether you can pause if you’re ill or busy.
Where you live
Some providers can’t fund people who live in certain areas. This is because 20 areas of England run their own adult skills funding. Read about devolved areas.
Your age, earnings and past qualifications
Free courses have rules about who can get them. For most courses you need to be 19 or over, and unemployed or earning under £26,800 a year. Some courses are free whatever you earn. Read who can get a free course.
One course at a time
Some providers only let you do one funded course at a time. This comes from provider terms, not the funding rules, so ask. If it applies, finish one course before you sign up for the next.
Out-of-date provider pages
The funding rules change every August. Courses lose their funding, earnings limits change, and new areas run their own budgets. Provider pages aren’t always updated. A course that was free last year might not be free now.
You can check whether a qualification is still approved for funding by searching for it on the Department for Education’s qualifications website.
Certificates
In the listings we read, a standard certificate was usually free. A few providers charge for a printed copy or a replacement.
Questions to ask before you sign up
- “Is this course fully funded for me, and why?”
- “Is there any fee if I leave early or don’t finish in time? How much?”
- “How long do I have to finish? Can I pause it?”
- “Can you fund people who live in my area?”
- “Is the course approved for funding this year (2026/27)?”
- “Will I get a certificate, and is there a charge for it?”
Get the answers in writing, such as in an email, and keep them.
If something goes wrong
- Talk to the provider first. Most have a complaints process.
- If you’re charged a fee you weren’t told about, ask the provider to show you where you agreed to it.
- If you can’t sort it out, you may be able to complain to the organisation that funds the provider. Ask the provider who that is. It could be the Department for Education or, in a devolved area, your combined authority or council.
Not all “free” means the same thing
- Free (fully funded): the government pays the course fees. Nothing to repay.
- Co-funded: the government pays most of the cost, but the funding is reduced, and you or your employer are expected to pay a contribution. Ask the provider what you would pay.
- Loan-funded: an Advanced Learner Loan or the Lifelong Learning Entitlement pays, and you repay it once you earn enough. That’s not free.
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:
- Choose a course you're interested in.
- Answer a few quick questions in the "Am I eligible?" check on its page.
- 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
Can a provider charge me if I leave a free course?
How much are withdrawal fees?
Do I have to pay for my certificate?
What if I don't finish in time because I'm ill?
Sources
- Adult skills fund: funding and performance management rules 2026 to 2027gov.uk
- 2026 to 2027 devolution postcode dataset guidancegov.uk
- Overview - List of Qualifications approved for fundingqualifications.education.gov.uk
- Adult skills fund: funding rates and formula 2026 to 2027gov.uk
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