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A woman in a classroom raises her hand, demonstrating her eagerness to participate and seek answers as an adult learner.

Qualifications Explained - Adult Learners

At B&FC, we cover everything from helping you learn the basics right up to studying for a degree.

Find my course
Whether you want to take a professional course to advance your career, learn a new skill, build on existing qualifications or kick-start a new career, we have something for everyone.

There are courses across a wide range of subjects from Business and Automotive to Construction and hair & Beauty with a focus on professional and technical training that will give your career prospects a boost.

We have a wealth of experience teaching adult learners and can help you develop the study skills you need to support your success.

  • Small class sizes taught by friendly industry specialists

  • 1 to 2 days a week study

  • Personalised support plan for every learner

English, Maths & Computing Basic Skills

FREE, short, flexible courses to help you with the basics, giving you skills for life and for work.

Our English courses will help you if you're struggling to read and write. You'll get all the support you need in a safe, welcoming and friendly space where everyone is encouraged to join in.

If you don't get maths, you're not alone. Our Maths courses are for anyone who finds numbers baffling. You'll get all the help you need to be confident using maths in everyday situations and at work.

Technology is everywhere these days, but that doesn't mean you know how to use it. Our Computing courses help you learn how to use a computer from switching one on to surfing the internet.

Our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses will give you all the language skills you need to communicate successfully in English to help you integrate into your local community and find work. We offer classes at all levels so you can be sure to find one that matches your experience.

 
Qualifications available:
Entry Level Certificates
Basic Skills Level 1
ESOL Level 1
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.

Level 1

Aiming for your dream career has never been more accessible.

As well as offering Level 1 Introductory Diplomas in our Basic Skills courses and ESOL (see above), we also offer FREE Level 1 Introductory Diplomas in several of our specialised subject areas.

Entry requirements may vary depending on the course, please refer to the individual course pages for more information.

 
Qualifications available:
Level 1 Introductory Diploma
CACHE Introductory Diploma
NVQ Level 1

Level 2

Our Level 2 courses, which take a year to complete are equivalent to GCSEs, allow you to build strong foundational knowledge in your subject area before progressing onto a more challenging Level 3 course.

Most Level 2 courses are FREE or have no upfront fees.

Entry requirements may vary depending on the course, please refer to the individual course pages for more information.

 
Qualifications available:
Level 2 Diploma
CACHE Certificate
NVQ Level 2
ESOL Level 2
Intermediate Apprenticeship

 

Level 3

Level 3 courses are equivalent to 2 A Levels and provide the employment-focused skills and knowledge that can either boost your job prospects or lead to higher level study.

Most Level 3 courses are FREE or have no upfront fees.

Entry requirements may vary depending on the course, please refer to the individual course pages for more information.

 
Qualifications available:
Level 3 Diploma
Level 3 Triple Diploma
CACHE Diploma
ESOL Level 3
NVQ Level 3
Access to HE Diploma
Advanced Apprenticeship
Adult Diplomas

Our Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 adult diplomas allow you to build specialist knowledge in a particular subject area with an emphasis on developing industry-relevant skills, helping you progress in your chosen career.

Access to Higher Education

Our Access to HE programmes are designed to provide a stepping stone to degree-level study and are especially geared up to adult learners who are returning to education after time away from the classroom. 

If you use an Advanced Learner Loan to finance your course, this will then be written off if you go on to study a degree.

Entry requirements may vary depending on the course, please refer to the individual course pages for more information.

 
Qualifications available:
Access to HE Diploma

 

Degree Level

You can progress with us all the way up to degree-level study. With all the benefits of a degree from a Top 15 University and all the advantages which come from a more intimate academic setting, B&FC is great place to study at degree level.

There's nothing to pay upfront and no repayments until you're earning at least £25,000 a year.

Entry requirements may vary depending on the course, please refer to the individual course pages for more information.


Qualifications available:
 
Level 4 (Year 1 of Degree)
Certificate of Higher Education
Higher National Certificate (HNC)
Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

 

Level 5 (Year 2 of Degree)
Foundation Degree
Higher National Diploma (HND)
Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship

 

Level 6 (Year 3 of Degree)
BA / BSc / BEng (Hons) Degree
BA / BSc / BEng (Hons) Top-up Degree
Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

 

Level 7 (Postgraduate Study)
Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)

 

Check out our Degrees Homepage for more information about Degree-Level study at B&FC.
Access to Higher Education

If you are keen to study for a degree but don't have the necessary qualifications or experience, don't worry. In just 12 months, our Access to HE programmes will get you ready for degree-level study.

Apprenticeships

Advance your career with a B&FC Apprenticeship.

An apprenticeship provides the best of both worlds - the chance to work towards a nationally-recognised qualification and develop your career at the same time.

You need to be in employment before you can start an apprenticeship, but through our Apprenticeship Vacancy matching service and strong employer relationships we can support you to find your ideal role.

 

Qualifications available:
Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship
Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships

Why not move your career forward with an apprenticeship, higher apprenticeship or degree apprenticeship from B&FC? There are various levels of apprenticeships available so you can find the right one for you.

Professional & Technical Training

We offer a range of Industry Accreditations and Professional Training courses aimed at our commercial customers.

These are designed to provide training in specific industry sectors especially those which require businesses and their employees to have certified training in particular tasks such as in Automotive and Construction. Some examples of this are MOT testing courses, gas safety training and CENWAT courses.

There are also commercial courses that offer professional training in sectors like Hair & Beauty, where the introduction of new techniques and materials means that practitioners need regular training to be able to offer the latest treatments to clients.

 

Get Certified...

From programmes delivered in the workplace to short courses that develop specialist skills to comply with legislation or meet industry requirements.

Find my course

Know what subject you want to study? Then check out our dedicated course search page for adult learners.

Contact Us

Don't hesitate to contact our Course Enquiries Team if you have any questions or concerns about qualifications available to Adult Learners.
Call: 01253 504343
Email: info@blackpool.ac.uk