Lift College launches £1,000 Second Chance Bursary for adults returning to study
Lift College has launched the Second Chance Bursary: £1,000 for one UK adult who left school without a grade 4 in English or maths and is now studying again. It is open to learners at any UK college, sixth form, university or regulated online college, on any course at any level, not just Lift College learners. Round 1 closes on 31 January 2027.
Lift College, the UK online college at liftcollege.co.uk, has opened applications for its Second Chance Bursary. The bursary pays £1,000 to one adult in each round, paid directly into the winner's own UK bank account.
Open to learners at any college
Applicants do not need to study with Lift College, and no purchase or enrolment with Lift College is needed to apply. The bursary is open to anyone who:
- lives in the UK and is aged 21 or over on the closing date;
- left school without a grade 4 (or a grade C) in GCSE English or GCSE maths;
- is now enrolled, or holds an offer, at a UK further education college, sixth form, university or regulated online college, on any course at any level.
Employees of Lift College Limited and their immediate family are not eligible.
How to apply
Applicants fill in one short form at liftcollege.co.uk/bursary, with a statement of up to 400 words on why they left school without those grades, what they are studying now and why, and what £1,000 would change. Spelling and grammar are not judged. A judging panel reads every shortlisted statement in full and chooses the winner, who is paid within 30 days of the decision. The bursary runs in rounds, with more than one round each year. Round 1 closes on 31 January 2027.
Many adults who left school without English or maths go back to it later, around work and family, and the cost of studying lands on them at the hardest moment. The Second Chance Bursary is for them, wherever they are studying. They do not need to be a Lift College learner. If you are back in a classroom or studying at a kitchen table, we want to hear your story.
Dr Kate Strohm, Managing Director, Lift CollegeApplications for Round 1 are open now at liftcollege.co.uk/bursary.
Notes to editors
- The award is £1,000, one award per round, paid as a single payment. The winner may use it for any purpose.
- Round 1 closes on 31 January 2027. The first winner is announced after Round 1 closes.
- The bursary is funded and run by Lift College Limited (company number 17337303).
- College and university funding teams who would like to list the bursary for their students can email info@liftcollege.co.uk for listing text and the logo.
- Press contact: Lift College Press Office, info@liftcollege.co.uk.
About Lift College
Lift College is a UK online college offering Ofqual-regulated GCSEs and A Levels from AQA and Pearson Edexcel, alongside Functional Skills and vocational diplomas awarded by TQUK, on a cancel-anytime subscription with a free trial on all TQUK courses. Every learner is supported by a named UK tutor. Lift College Limited, company number 17337303.
Lift College Press Office