Adults in England can draw on several distinct government funding routes depending on what they want to study and their circumstances. The Adult Skills Fund, which replaced the Adult Education Budget on 1 August 2024, fully funds GCSE and Functional Skills English and maths up to Level 2, and other basic skills, for eligible adults. Free Courses for Jobs funds a first full Level 3 qualification in specific sectors. Skills Bootcamps offer short, intensive sector-specific training. Apprenticeships are funded through the employer levy system, and the Multiply numeracy programme closed on 31 March 2025. Eligibility rules differ across these routes, so checking the specific criteria before applying is essential.
Adult education funding in the UK is not one single pot of money with one set of rules. It is a collection of distinct schemes, each aimed at a different stage of learning, from basic English and maths through to Level 3 technical qualifications and beyond. Understanding which scheme applies to your situation is the difference between finding a genuinely funded place and wasting time on a course that turns out not to be free for you.
This guide sets out the main funding routes available to adults in England, who they are aimed at, and how they compare, plus where Lift College's own qualifications map onto these schemes.
The funded schemes at a glance
Each scheme covers a different level and type of study, and most have their own age, residency, prior qualification or income conditions.
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| Scheme | Funder | Levels covered |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Skills Fund (formerly Adult Education Budget) | DfE / devolved authorities | Entry to Level 2, plus first full L2/L3 for 19 to 23s |
| Free Courses for Jobs | DfE via ESFA | Level 3 in specific sectors |
| Skills Bootcamps | DfE, regional | Short intensive sector courses |
| Multiply | DfE via UK Shared Prosperity Fund | Numeracy up to Level 2 (closed 31 March 2025) |
| Apprenticeships | Employer levy / co-investment | Level 2 to 7 |
The Adult Skills Fund (formerly the Adult Education Budget)
The Adult Skills Fund, which replaced the Adult Education Budget on 1 August 2024, is the backbone of adult funding for basic skills. It fully funds GCSE English and maths, and Functional Skills English and maths from Entry level to Level 2, for adults aged 19 and over who have not achieved grade 4 (C) or above, subject to residency rules, and it funds a first full Level 2 or Level 3 qualification for adults aged 19 to 23. Full detail on the current statutory entitlements is set out in the ESFA funding rules.
- Fully funds English and maths to Level 2 for eligible adults 19 and over
- Fully funds a first full Level 2 or Level 3 qualification for adults aged 19 to 23
- Adults 24 and over on low pay, or unemployed, may access wider full or co-funding depending on local rules
Free Courses for Jobs: top qualifying occupations
Free Courses for Jobs funds a first full Level 3 qualification for adults with no existing Level 3, or who are unemployed, or earning below the scheme's earnings threshold, in a defined list of sectors. See the full current list on GOV.UK before assuming a specific qualification qualifies.
- Adult care and health and social care Level 3
- Early years and childcare Level 3
- Digital technology, both user and practitioner qualifications
- Engineering, manufacturing technologies and construction
- Accounting, business management, and a range of other listed sector subject areas
Skills Bootcamps
Skills Bootcamps are short, intensive courses, typically up to 16 weeks, focused on sectors with known skills shortages, such as digital, construction, logistics and green skills. They are open to adults aged 19 and over who are employed, self-employed or unemployed, and most do not require prior knowledge of the subject.
Full detail on current Skills Bootcamps by region is published via Skills for Careers.
Multiply: numeracy funding, closed March 2025
Multiply was the UK government's targeted numeracy programme. It ran from April 2022 until it closed on 31 March 2025, funding flexible maths support from confidence building sessions through to full Functional Skills or GCSE maths qualifications. Adults can still get fully funded maths up to Level 2, including GCSE maths, through the Adult Skills Fund legal entitlement.
The apprenticeship route: employer-funded via the levy
Apprenticeships are funded differently from the other routes covered here. Larger employers pay into the apprenticeship levy, which then funds training costs for their apprentices, while smaller employers benefit from government co-investment covering most of the training cost. Apprentices are employed and paid a wage throughout, which distinguishes this route from full-time study.
- Available from Level 2 through to Level 7 (degree apprenticeships)
- You must be employed in a genuine apprenticeship role to access this funding, so it is not a standalone course you can simply enrol on
- Age 16 and over, with no upper age limit
Where Lift College qualifications map onto these schemes
Several Lift College qualifications sit in subject areas that also appear on the Free Courses for Jobs approved list, including Adult Care Level 3, Early Years Level 3, and Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Level 4. This does not mean Lift College itself is a funded provider under the scheme; it means that if you want to check whether a funded place is available for one of these subject areas, it is worth asking a local Free Courses for Jobs provider before choosing a paid, fully online route with Lift College instead.
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