Can I get free courses (GCSE and more) if on UC?

[coursesforUC]

Is it possible to get free courses as an adult on UC (no income as full time carer to SEN dc). I have no qualifications at all. I won’t be able to work for the foreseeable but was thinking could I get GCSEs then do maybe a level 2 or level 3 course to actually gain some qualifications perhaps alongside volunteering to build up a CV for the future? I feel cheated in a lot of ways as had an abusive childhood and didn’t attend school after primary then have had a set of bad circumstances (extremely prem babies , ill health and SEN) and want a second chance at qualifications etc.

You could ask your UC coach.

I don’t have one can I ask for one ? I can add messages to the journal but replies take a long time

No, not always free. Some are, some wont.

I will put a message on my journal maybe they can send me a link to a list perhaps.

Anyone without Maths and English GCSE (or equivalent) can get these free. Then various colleges do run courses that are free to get certain qualifications up to level 3. You can also do Access to Higher Education for free or get the fee refunded if you go on to higher education.
The first thing is to look at colleges near you. Also check if your benefits will be affected.

https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/adults

I would contact your local college or adult further education centre. They will know more about funding requirements. I think you would be entitled to study for maths and English as you don't have a GCSE, but not certain.

Find your local adult education centre. Ours do functional skills upto level 2 free as they are government funded for our area. Check if this is funded in your area too. FS L2 is often seen as the equivalent of a GCSE with most employers though some will insist on a GCSE. Some adult education providers offer GCSEs too but I'm not sure if they charge for this.

https://www.cwc.ac.uk/student-support/free-courses-for-adults

You are probably nowhere near Westminster, but this website gives a helpful overview of what they offer. If your local colleges don't have similar, they should be able to provide info if you contact them.

Hey, your post doesn't say how old you are but I'm assuming you're over 19?

Where are you located? There might be some funding to help you get a level 2 qualification depending on where you're living.

There is an advanced learner loan to fund a level 3 qualification (a levels, access to HE courses etc), which is then written off if you go on to study and complete a degree.

Level 2 qualifications are free to study if you're 19 or under. Have you spoken to your local college?

How comfortable would you feel to self study? I left school in year 10 and never got any of my GCSEs. Years later, I self studied for my Maths GCSE and just paid the fee for the exams (around £100). I now have a degree and my teaching post grad qualification, so missing big chunks of your education doesn't have to be barrier to learning.

I’m 40. I just feel like now my dc are all at school I could get qualifications and maybe volunteer and still be available for all the appointments and days off and times that I get called in for emergencies but longer term I could actually do something with my life. I’ve always felt like I wasted my potential and it’s made me so depressed

London area

I understand. I returned to education in my thirties as I also felt like it missed out and hadn't reached my potential.

It is possible. I would do two things in your position:

Contact your local college and see what options they have for adult learners without level 2 qualifications. Each college is different and provide different options, so I can't advise.

Look on volunteer websites like www.doit.life to see if there are any jobs that you could volunteer at to help build up your experience in the meantime.

I think what others have said sounds sensible. You could also approach it in another way (for your confidence) and offer to volunteer in your children’s primary. If there’s a supportive head, they may also be able to point you towards relevant learning opportunities.

You can definitely get free courses; check the local adult education colleges that are near you. They’ll have GCSEs and other courses (stuff that might interest you career wise) and you can usually study them at the same time if you’re committed. You might have missed the September start dates but I’d definitely have a quick search and you’d be able to start in Jan?

I was your age when I did my maths GCSE, then did English the following year for free at my local adult education centre. Go for it, I'm glad I did as it led me to a good job that I've progressed in.

Local adult education centre do free GCSE English and maths. Good luck x

If you contact your local FE college you can book into free maths and english courses, level 2. They should be free for anyone without qualifications (at least this is the case from a few years ago)

Government funded courses would often be free to those meeting specific criteria including UC. Level 2 English and Maths are free to those without them , level 3 is usually funded by an Advanced Learning Loan or apprenticeship for over 19s but concessionary fees may be available. Check out your local further education colleges or Adult Learning on the LA website to find their local providers who may be community based.

I work at a college. Anyone who does not have a grade 4 or a C in English or maths usually can sit GCSE English and Maths for free. Be aware though most would be evening classes.

You could also do functional skills English and Maths which may be in the daytime too.

People on benefits or low income I think it's under £19,000 can access level 2 and 3 courses for free.

Usually the issue with universal credit is if your expected to work you'd be expected to give up the course if needed.

Did you hear anything back from your work coach OP?
I got told If your only doing a part time course less than 21 hours and the course/study doesn’t interfere with your caring responsibilities you can still receive UC including the carers element .