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Adult Learners

Part-time & professional courses for 19+ year olds

Whether you’re studying to improve your prospects, to upgrade your qualifications, to help you to change your job or simply studying for pleasure, there is a huge array of courses and qualifications on offer to you.

Now’s the Time. Courses for adults starting from January 2024 across the Castleford, Selby and Wakefield Districts.

Finding the right course for you

What are you looking to do:
Maths & English

Improve your English or maths skills by attending our informal and friendly classes.

Learn English (ESOL)

We offer a range of speaking & listening and reading & writing classes for those wishing to improve their English skills.

FREE Online Learning

Our courses are FREE subject to the eligibility criteria being met by the learner.

Digital Skills for Adults

Improve your digital skills with our range of courses.

Vocational Adult Courses

Wakefield College offers a wide range of skills-based courses from beginner level right through to higher-level professional programmes.

Adult Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are for anyone aged 16 or over allowing you to earn whilst you learn.

Access to HE (Higher Education)

A nationally recognised one year course preparing adults for university.

University Level Courses (Higher Education)

We have over 30 university level courses, across a range of subjects.

Business, Management & Professional Training

Courses to help you get professionally qualified and boost your career options.

Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Courses

Stay ahead of the curve with the brand-new range of Electric and Hybrid vehicle courses.

Teacher Training

Start your teaching career with Wakefield College with one of our teacher training courses.

Update your basic skills

We offer a range of courses to equip adult learners with the basic skills needed for many job roles, from maths and English courses to entry-level IT workshops. Some of these courses could be free to you depending on your circumstances. Get in touch to find out more.

Maths & English

Improve your English or maths skills by attending our informal and friendly classes.

Learn English (ESOL)

We offer a range of speaking & listening and reading & writing classes for those wishing to improve their English skills.

FREE Online Learning

Our courses are FREE subject to the eligibility criteria being met by the learner.

Digital Skills for Adults

Improve your digital skills with our range of courses.

Improve your employability skills

There are many ways to improve your employability skills, from ensuring your basic skills are up to date to undertaking management or professional qualifications. Some courses could be free or subsidised depending on your circumstances. Get in touch to find out more.

Maths & English

Improve your English or maths skills by attending our informal and friendly classes.

FREE Online Learning

Our courses are FREE subject to the eligibility criteria being met by the learner.

Digital Skills for Adults

Improve your digital skills with our range of courses.

Business, Management & Professional Training

Courses to help you get professionally qualified and boost your career options.

Get a university level qualification

A university-level course with the University Centre at Wakefield College opens up many doors. We offer over 35 courses and our students benefit from lower fees and smaller class sizes.

Our Access to Higher Education programme is a one year route to university and aims to help adults gain a nationally recognised qualification to help them get to university.

Access to HE (Higher Education)

A nationally recognised one year course preparing adults for university.

University Level Courses (Higher Education)

We have over 30 university-level courses, across a range of subjects.

Looking for a career change or to retrain

Thinking about retraining to improve your prospects or interested in a career change? Wakefield College offers numerous courses to help you realise your dreams. Try one of our popular short courses or take the plunge and apply for a longer part-time course.

Vocational Adult Courses

Wakefield College offers a wide range of skills-based courses from beginner level right through to higher-level professional programmes.

Adult Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are for anyone aged 16 or over allowing you to earn whilst you learn.

FREE Online Learning

Our courses are FREE subject to the eligibility criteria being met by the learner.

Business, Management & Professional Training

Courses to help you get professionally qualified and boost your career options.

Teacher Training

Start your teaching career with Wakefield College with one of our teacher training courses.

Looking for something for fun or free

Learning something new doesn’t have to be just about improving your employability skills. Starting a part-time or short course just for the experience of learning something new or even the opportunity to meet new friends can be a rewarding experience in itself. You could choose to do something creative, learn some handy DIY skills or enhance your digital skills. Many courses could be subsidised depending on your individual circumstances.

Maths & English

Improve your English or maths skills by attending our informal and friendly classes.

Learn English (ESOL)

We offer a range of speaking & listening and reading & writing classes for those wishing to improve their English skills.

FREE Online Learning

Our courses are FREE subject to the eligibility criteria being met by the learner.

Adult Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are for anyone aged 16 or over allowing you to earn whilst you learn.

*Free course eligibility criteria
  • The College is only able to provide government funding or free courses to students who live within West Yorkshire at the start of their course.
  • From April 2022 any adult in England who is earning under the National Living Wage or is unemployed will also be able to access these qualifications for free regardless of their prior qualifications.

Now’s the time...

Courses for adults starting from Januray 2024 across the Castleford, Selby and Wakefield Districts.

Wakefield College has something for everyone - our aim is to get you started at the right level and on the best route for you.

Finding the right level for you

You may have seen references to ‘levels’ of course, e.g. ‘level 2 course in maths’. These levels are based on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). All UK qualifications are given a level numbered 1 - 8, or ‘entry’.

You may be asked to have qualifications at a certain NQF ‘level’ when you apply for work or further study. You can use the table to match your qualification to its level in the National Qualifications Framework.

We do look at everyone individually and you may have different skills, interests, experiences or qualifications to offer. We will ensure that we will advise you on the best route for you.

Level Qualifications
Entry Entry level courses to develop skills and increase confidence
Level 1 GCSE** grade D - G, Level 1 certificates
Level 2 GCSE** grade A* - C, Level 2 NVQs, Level 2 diplomas
Level 3 A Levels**, Level 3 NVQs, Level 3 certificates
Level 4 HNCs, Level 4 diplomas
Level 5 Foundation degrees, HNDs, Level 5 diplomas
Level 6 Bachelor’s degrees (e.g. BA or BSc)
Level 7 Masters degrees, postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas
Level 8 Specialist qualifications such as PhDs (NB not currently offered at Wakefield College)

** These qualifications are usually part of a full-time study programme for school leavers. Please see individual courses for specific entry requirements.

Advanced Learner Loans

Aged 19 or over and thinking about further education?

You may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. These loans help you to pay the fees charged by colleges and training organisations. Most learners aged 19 and over, studying Further Education at Level 3 to 6, will qualify for these loans from the UK Government.

It’s easy to apply, your household income isn’t taken into account and there’s no credit check. You won’t have to pay anything back until your income is over £25,000 a year*.

Learn more about Advanced Learner Loans

Downloads

Advanced Learner Loans Apply.pdf
167.65 kb · 07 August, 2019

Advanced Learner Loans FAQs.pdf
378.4 kb · 07 August, 2019

Advanced Learner Loans Key Facts.pdf
167.76 kb · 07 August, 2019

Advanced Learner Loans Repayments.pdf
122.79 kb · 07 August, 2019

Unsure what to do?
Course Information

If you still have questions or would prefer to have a chat with one of our advisors, give us a call on 01924 789111 or email courseinfo@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk.

Careers & Educational Guidance

Our Careers Advisors can offer impartial guidance on our full range of courses and career options. To make an appointment please telephone 01924 789113 or email careers@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk.

Get some ideas

Take a look at our Part-time & Professional Course Guide for ideas on part-time, university level and professional qualification courses that are available to 19+ year olds.

Still have questions?
Jargon Buster

Our Jargon Buster is here to help make sense of some of the acronyms and tricky terms you may encounter while reading through this website.

Get a Prospectus

Adult Course Guide January 2024

The complete course listings for all adult part-time and professional courses at Castleford College, Selby College and Wakefield College.

Open Prospectus PDF Download [1.7MB]

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