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Funding for learners

Learner funding information

City & Guilds develops qualifications that support you to gain the skills you need to progress into a job, on the job and onto your next job.

Many of our qualifications are funded by the government so they are free for you, but we understand that trying to find out if you can get funding for the qualification you are interested in can be complicated.

To help you, the information on this page will explain more about what the government funds and we have provided links to more detailed information about our qualifications, so you can search to see what types of course are available in the subjects you are interested in.

Visit our qualifications page >

Visit our what we offer learner page >

Aged 16-18

The government fully funds this age group. You can get more information from your local FE colleges or training providers about which of our courses or qualifications they offer.

Aged 19+

The government funding for this age group is more complicated and depends on whether you are employed, unemployed and also what other qualifications you already have and what level they are.

In general, if you are unemployed or earn less than £15,736 per year, then you can be fully funded for qualifications up to level 2.

If you don’t have a full level 3 qualification already and are aged 19-24, then you may be able to access a fully funded qualification to gain one. This is called the Legal Entitlement.

19+ FE Adult Learning Loans

If you want to take a qualification at level 3 or above and already have a qualification at that level, then the government offers the option to access a FE Adult Learning Loan, which you only pay back if you are earning above £25,000pa. We have put together detailed information to help you on our 19+ FE Adult Learning Loans webpage.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are paid for by employers and the government. As an apprentice you do not have to contribute any money towards the cost of an apprenticeship. An apprenticeship is a job with training, so you must be employed or be willing to apply for an apprenticeship based job role.

City & Guilds supports all sorts of apprenticeships.  You can find out all you need to know on our apprenticeship webpage.

Maths and English

Maths and English are key core skills that almost everyone needs to progress into a job and on the job. Because of this, the government fully funds anyone to gain their first level 1 or 2 maths and/or English qualifications. There are vocationally related (more suitable for work) maths and English qualifications called Functional Skills.

City & Guilds offers these at level 1 and 2 for both subjects. Most local training provider’s offer courses and qualifications in maths and English and will be able to work with you to decide which level best suits your current knowledge and set you up on a course to help you achieve and gain a certificate.