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Adult Learners

It's never too late to achieve your career dream - especially when you study a career-focused course at B&FC. We offer help with funding, lots of ongoing support and timetabling that fits around your life. So what's stopping you?

Course list

Enrolment Days

For any of the Adult courses listed below, come down to Bispham Campus main reception on the following days to enrol:

  • Tuesday 11 March | 9.30am - 7.30pm
  • Wednesday 12 March | 9.30am - 7.30pm

For full details of what you need to bring with you to enrolment, click here.

Why B&FC is a great choice for Adult Learners

  • Most courses are FREE or have no upfront fees.
  • Timetables are designed to fit around your commitments
  • Extra financial support is available for eligible students
  • Personalised learning support for every learner
  • Careers advice to ensure your course aligns with your career goals
  • A smooth enrolment process to get started stress-free
     

Course Fees

If you meet any of the following criteria, you could be eligible for full funding which means you won't have to pay any course fees.

  • Are in receipt of income-related benefits
  • Working and earning less than £25,000
  • Aged 19+ and don't have a Level 3 qualification
  • The course you are enrolling on is funded via the Government's Free Courses For Jobs (FCFJ) scheme
Prospectus for Adult Learners
  • Most courses are FREE or have no upfront fees

  • £60 monthly bursary and help with childcare costs for Adult Learners

  • Free or discounted 24/7 Blackpool Transport travel pass

Advanced Learner Loan

If you don't qualify for a FREE course, you can still secure funding for adult learning with an Advanced Learner Loan which will cover the fees for your course and is only repayable once you've completed your course and are earning over £25,000 a year. The table below gives you a guide to the repayment amounts and the loan itself won't impact your ability to secure other borrowing like a car loan or mortgage.

 

Monthly repayments based on annual income
Annual salaryMonthly repayment amountEquates to
£25,000 or less£0 
£26,000£7.50Less than a weekly Starbucks
£30,000£37.50The average cost of a takeaway for two
£35,000£75.00The price of a premium TV and broadband package
£40,000£112.50 A head to toe pamper session

 

You will only need to take out an Advanced Learner Loan if

  • Your course is not eligible for Government funding as described above in the Course Fees section AND
  • You are over 19 years of age and studying a Level 3 qualification

 

Extra financial support

The following non-repayable financial support is available for eligible students:

  • £60 monthly bursary payment to help with course-related costs
  • Help with childcare costs
  • FREE or discounted 24/7 Blackpool Transport travel pass
  • FREE circular shuttle bus linking our Bispham Campus with Poulton-Le-Fylde
  • FREE healthy breakfast
  • Discounted Council Tax

 

Business and Enterprise

Make your first great business decision by choosing to study with us.
 

Course TitleQualificationStart Date(s)
CIPD People ManagementLevel 529/04/25

 

Children, Young People and Families

Learn how to support and develop families and young people from tiny tots to tweens and teens.
 

Course TitleQualificationStart Date(s)
Caring for ChildrenLevel 1

27/02/25

25/04/25

Understanding Behaviour that ChallengesLevel 224/04/25
Understanding Children and Young People's Mental HealthLevel 224/04/25
Understanding Safeguarding and PreventLevel 223/04/25

 

Construction

Build your way to a better future by studying a professional trade qualification with us.
 

Course TitleQualificationStart Date(s)
BricklayingLevel 122/04/25
Construction Skills (Females Only)Level 113/05/25
Introduction to ConstructionLevel 1As required
Painting and Decorating (Evening)Level 101/10/25
PlasteringLevel 1

19/02/25

14/05/25

Construction Multi-skillsLevel 214/05/25
Painting and DecoratingLevel 202/04/25
PlasteringLevel 214/05/25
TilingLevel 214/05/25

 

Creative Arts

Feed your imagination with courses designed to nurture creative careers.
 

Course TitleQualificationStart Date(s)
PhotographyLevel 224/04/25

 

Hair, Beauty and Related Therapies

Make sure your skills are a cut above the rest with an industry-recognised qualification from us.
 

Course TitleQualificationStart Date(s)
Cosmetic Make-Up and Beauty ConsultancyLevel 225/02/25
Facial and Head Massage with SkincareLevel 224/03/25

 

Health and Medical Professions

Examine your career options with our range of health and medical profession courses.
 

Course TitleQualificationStart Date(s)
Alcohol AwarenessLevel 121/03/25
Awareness of Substance MisuseLevel 128/03/25
Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children's and Young People's SettingsLevel 124/04/25
Mental Health AwarenessLevel 114/03/25
Preparing to CareLevel 128/04/25
Stress AwarenessLevel 107/03/25
Awareness of DementiaLevel 206/03/25
Counselling SkillsLevel 222/04/25
Helping SkillsLevel 225/02/25
Understanding Mental Health in the WorkplaceLevel 225/02/25
Understanding Safeguarding and PreventLevel 223/04/25
Counselling SkillsLevel 3 (FCFJ)25/02/25

 

Hospitality, Culinary Skills and Events Management

Create the perfect recipe for professional success.
 

Course TitleQualificationStart Date(s)
Food Safety in CateringLevel 2As required

 

Science

Explore life, the universe and (almost) everything on one of our highly respected science programmes.
 

Course TitleQualificationStart Date(s)
Animal CareLevel 226/02/25

 

Sport, Leisure and Recreation

Get your career into great shape with a course from our sport, leisure and recreation curriculum.
 

Course TitleQualificationStart Date(s)
Advanced Personal TrainingLevel 420/02/25

 

Teaching and Learning Support

Help learners to flourish by support teaching and training in the classroom and beyond.
 

Course TitleQualificationStart Date(s)
Preparing to Work in SchoolsLevel 127/02/25
Teaching AssistantLevel 2

21/04/25

25/04/25

 

Non-funded Courses

Unlock new skills for career success, or ignite your passions with leisure learning courses.

Course TitleStart Date(s)
Exercise, Movement and Dance19/04/25
Fashion Production Skills17/04/25
Tailoring and Advanced Fashion Production14/04/25
Cake Decoration - Stage 212/03/25
Deep Tissue Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage17/02/25
Introduction to Aromatherapy Massage18/02/25
Mylash Lash Lift18/02/25
Russian Volume Lashes20/02/25
Ultra Defined Brows19/02/25
Eligibility Check

Simply click on the link below, answer a few questions and find out in minutes if you qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. It could change your life!

FREE Courses for Jobs

Free Courses for Jobs is part of a government-funded scheme intended to offer adults who are unemployed or on a low wage, the opportunity to improve their prospects and help them kickstart their career so if you're aged 19+ and meet the above criteria why not start 2025 by upskilling or reskilling for free!

For more information about the scheme and whether you're eligible, read about Free Courses for Jobs on GOV.UK.

In the course list above, look out for 'FCFJ' to discover what Free Courses for Jobs are offered from January.

Basic Skills in the Community

By offering courses closer to home, we hope more people will feel comfortable enough to join us and learn the basic skills that can really make life easier.

Whether that's improving your English, getting to grips with numbers or picking up simple computer skills, coming to one of our free community centre courses could really have an impact.

Come to one of the sessions listed below for a FREE Basic Skills course.
 
Day
Venue
FREE Courses available
Time
MondayFreedom Centre (FY4 4RT)Maths / English9am - 12pm
TuesdayJob Centre+ Blackpool (FY1 1NF)Let's Get Digital9.30am - 12.30pm
TuesdayGrange (FY3 7RW)Maths / English2pm - 5pm
TuesdayGrange (FY3 7RW)English6pm - 8pm
TuesdayGrange (FY3 7RW)Maths6pm - 8pm
TuesdayGrange (FY3 7RW)Digital6pm - 8pm
WednesdayFreedom Centre (FY4 4RT)Digital9.30am - 12pm
WednesdayClaremont (FY1 2QJ)Maths9.30am - 11.30am
WednesdayClaremont (FY1 2QJ)English9.30am - 11.30am
ThursdayThe HUB at South Shore (FY4 2JF)English12.45pm - 2.45pm
ThursdayBickerstaffe (FY1 3AH)Maths / English9.15am - 11.45am
FridayBickerstaffe (FY1 3AH)Maths / English9.15am - 12pm

Enrolment Process for Adult Learners

For courses starting from January - March 2025

When you attend one of the Enrolment Days listed above, you will be able to speak to our specialist advisors to ensure the course you have applied for is right for you. If you need further advice about your course or financial support, they can provide it here.

What do I need to bring to enrolment?

  • Evidence of all your qualifications
  • National Insurance Number (only required if you are receiving benefits and your course fees are being waived or you have been referred by Job Centre Plus)
  • Adult Learner Loan reference number (if your course is being funded via the Adult Learner Loan) Student Loan Letter or customer reference number and 2 forms of ID (if studying for a degree level course)

If you choose to apply for the Adult Learner Loan or Student Loan at enrolment you will need to bring the following with you: 

  • Your National Insurance Number
  • A valid passport
  • Bank details

If your fees are being waived by the Low Wage Initiative* you will need to bring one of the following with you:

  • Bank Statements
  • Wage slips (if employed)
  • P60 (if employed)
  • Most recent tax return (if self-employed)

*What is the Low Wage Initiative?
If you already have Level 3 or higher qualification but are unemployed or earn below the national living wage annually (£25,000 from April 2024), you may be able to access your qualification for free).

Get in Touch

If you are unsure about what course is right for you, how to apply, or your eligibility for funding, please reach out to our friendly Course Enquiries Team and one of our advisers will be more than happy to help guide you through the process.

Call: 01253 504343
Email: info@blackpool.ac.uk

Getting you to where you want to be

  • English, Maths and Computing Basic Skills

    If you feel your lack of basic skills in English, Maths or Computing is holding you back at work and in life too, then our beginner courses could be just the helping hand you need.

    Read more on English, Maths and Computing Basic Skills
  • Apprenticeships for Adults

    It's not just school leavers that can apply for Apprenticeship Vacancies, adult learners can too and it could open up a whole new world of opportunity.

    See our current apprenticeship vacanies

More reasons to study at B&FC

Supportive

With our extensive experience of helping adult learners achieve their career goals, we understand that there are times when you need a helping hand to reach your full potential. As well as help with finance, we also offer study support to help you academically and well-being support to ensure you can make the most of your time at college.

Employment-focused

With input from over 1,800 employers and industry specialist tutors, our courses are designed to support your progression into your chosen career. Need help planning your future? Our Careers team can provide you expert advice and guidance so you can decide which is the right course for you.

Student Support, Wellbeing & Inclusion

At B&FC we offer a comprehensive range of support services aimed at helping you reach your full potential.

  • Convenient timetabling to fit around your life

  • High level of one-to-one support

  • Award winning careers advice

Student Case Study

After a colleague recommended B&FC, Brittany signed up to study Human Resource Practice - Level 3 (CIPD) and secured a promotion!

"I chose Blackpool and The Fylde College as I had heard nothing but good things. My tutors were amazing, giving me detailed feedback on my written work, allowing me to focus on areas for improvement and take pride in my accomplisments. The college is local to me and the timetable fit in perfectly with my working hours. It was a no brainer!

I've just moved to a new company and I am now an Experience & Wellbeing Advisor, a role that wouldn't have been possible without this qualification."

Brittany Norman, Human Resource Practice - Level 3 (CIPD)

Support HUB

Adult Personal Development Curriculum

To complement our technical training, we offer you the opportunity to acquire additional skills, abilities and behaviours to enrich your life both personally and professionally with a focus on strengthening your notion of citizenship and the contribution you can make to your immediate environment and wider community.

Read more about the Curriculum

How to Apply

Make a start as soon as you can and you'll be one step closer to starting the next stage of your educational journey with us.

International Students

International students do well here and quickly settle into our friendly environment. From visa guidance to financial support, we've got you covered.

What's next?


Discover the right course for you using our Course Search.
Check out our Prospectus page where you can download or view a prospectus online.
Book a place at our next Open Event - a great opportunity to meet the tutors, ask questions and check out our facilities.
Contact our Course Enquiries Team if you have any questions or concerns:
Call: 01253 504343
Email: info@blackpool.ac.uk