Free Courses for Adults in Bradford

Boost your skills. Improve your job prospects. Learn for free (if eligible).
If you're aged 19+ and living in Bradford, Shipley, Keighley or West Yorkshire, you may be able to study a range of adult courses at no cost, depending on your personal circumstances.

This guide explains exactly which courses can be free, who is eligible, and how to check your funding.

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1. What Free Adult Courses Are Available in Bradford?

At Shipley College, we offer several government-funded options for adults. These include:

✅ Free English Courses for Adults (Entry–Level to Level 2)

Improve reading, writing and communication for work, daily life or confidence.

✅ Free Maths Courses for Adults (Multiply – Government Funded)

If you do not have a GCSE grade C/4 in maths, you can access free maths support, including:

• Everyday maths confidence courses

• Functional Skills Maths (Entry – Level 2)

• Numeracy for work (Multiply-funded)

• Fast-track preparation for GCSE or Functional Skills

*Multiply funding is available to adults 19+ without GCSE grade C/4 in maths and living in West Yorkshire.

✅ Free Digital Skills Courses (Essential Digital Skills Qualification)

Designed for adults who want to gain essential computer, email and online skills.

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2. Free Level 3 Courses (Free Courses for Jobs)

IMPORTANT: These courses are only free if you meet national eligibility criteria.

Under the government’s Free Courses for Jobs scheme, certain Level 3 qualifications may be fully funded, but only if one of the following applies:

You may be eligible for a fully funded Level 3 if:

• You do not already hold a full Level 3 qualification (e.g. A-Levels, BTEC Level 3, Access to HE), OR

• You already have a Level 3 but

  • are unemployed, or

  • earning below the national low-wage threshold (the current threshold will be checked during enrolment), OR

• You are 19–23 and studying your first Level 3 qualification.

Examples of Level 3 courses that may be free (subject to eligibility):

• Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care

• Level 3 Early Years Educator

• Level 3 Business

• Level 3 Digital Skills

• Level 3 Access to Higher Education (not always fully funded – eligibility varies)

*Funding depends on your personal circumstances, employment status, and prior qualifications.
**All free course eligibility is checked individually during enrolment.

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3. Free Courses for Adults on Benefits or Low Income

You may also be able to study for free if you are:

• Claiming certain benefits (e.g. Universal Credit, JSA, ESA)

• Earning below the low-income threshold

• Looking to improve your employment prospects

This may cover selected courses from Entry Level up to Level 2.

Eligibility is assessed on an individual basis at enrolment.

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4. Who Can Get a Free Course? 

Free course funding is based on government rules, not Shipley College.
In most cases, you may qualify for a free course if you:

• Are 19+ and live in Bradford, Keighley, Shipley or West Yorkshire, AND

• Meet one or more of these conditions:

  • Do not already have a GCSE grade C/4 in English or maths

  • Do not hold a full Level 3 qualification

  • Are unemployed

  • Are earning below the low-wage funding threshold

  • Are studying your first Level 3 qualification aged 19–23

  • Are eligible for Multiply maths funding

*Eligibility varies for each course.
*All funding is assessed during enrolment and may require proof of circumstances.
*Free places cannot be guaranteed until your enrolment check is complete.

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5. Popular searches

People in Bradford often search for:

• free courses for adults Bradford

• adult learning Bradford

• adult courses Bradford

• maths courses for adults Bradford

• free English courses Bradford

• free Level 3 courses Bradford

This page helps you find the right course based on your situation.

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6. Apply or Enquire About Free Courses

The easiest way to check whether your course is free is to contact our Adult Learning team.

📩 Enquire now!

Click here

 

01274 327222 – ask for Adult Learning (19+)

📍 Based in Saltaire, West Yorkshire

Easily accessible from Bradford, Bingley, Keighley and Leeds.

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7. Important 

Funding for adult courses is set by the UK Government and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).
Eligibility is assessed individually at enrolment and may depend on income, benefit status, residency and prior qualifications.
Free courses cannot be guaranteed until your funding check is complete.