At Waltham Forest College we offer a range of courses for adults that will help you to gain the necessary skills and qualifications to further your career or progress on to higher level study. Many of our courses you may be able to access for free. Explore the options below to see how you can Create Your Future.
Study for free
Full Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications
If you are 19 to 23 years old and do not have a Level 2 or above qualification, you will be fully funded if you study a full Level 2 or full Level 3 qualification.
Access to Higher Education courses
You can study an Access to HE course for free if:
- You are 19+ and the Access course is your first full Level 3 qualification
- You are 19+ and have a Level 3 qualification but are earning less than £25,642.50
- You are 19+ and have a Level 3 qualification but are unemployed and looking for work
If you do not fit into the categories above you may need to take out a loan.
If you take out an Advanced Learner Loan to fund your Access course and go on to complete a degree, you will not need to pay back the loan for your Access course.
English, maths and ESOL
If you are aged 19+ and have not previously gained a GCSE grade C/4 or higher, you will be fully funded if you study for a qualification in English or maths, up to and including Level 2.
If you are unemployed looking for work or earn less than £25,642.50 you can study our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses for free.
Digital Skills courses
These courses are designed for those who have low digital skills and would like to increase their knowledge in today's digital world. The courses are free for adults who meet residency criteria (contact us at myfuture@waltham.ac.uk to learn more about residency criteria).
Free Courses for Jobs
Any adult aged 19 and over, who does not already have a Level 3 qualification or higher, can study Free Courses for Jobs eligible Level 3 courses for free.
This offer is also available to adults who earn less than the National Living Wage annually or who are unemployed, regardless of their prior qualification level.
Explore our Free Courses for Jobs eligible courses below:
- Accounting (Day) Level 3
- Bookkeeping Level 3
- Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator) Level 3
- Childcare Level 3
- Electrical Installation Level 3
- Engineering Level 3
- Entry to the Uniformed Services Level 3
- General Patisserie and Confectionery Level 3
- Health and Social Care Level 3
- Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Level 3
- Plumbing Level 3
- Professional Cookery Level 3
Financial support
Alongside studying a free course, you may be eligible for extra financial support. This can include travel expenses, childcare fees and essential equipment.
If you are not eligible to study a specific course for free, you may be able to access other funding options such as Advanced Learner Loans.
