Adults in England aged 19 and over who do not already hold a grade 4 GCSE or equivalent Level 2 qualification in maths or English can usually study Functional Skills or GCSE maths and English for free, funded through the Adult Skills Fund, which replaced the Adult Education Budget on 1 August 2024. Free Courses for Jobs offers a route to a first Level 3 qualification, and the Multiply numeracy programme closed on 31 March 2025. Actual eligibility depends on your age, residency, prior qualifications and, in some cases, your employment or benefits status, so always confirm with your chosen college or provider before enrolling.
Find your level free: use our free English and maths checker.
If you search for free maths and English courses in the UK, you will find genuine funded provision, but the details matter more than the headline. Funding is real, it is government-backed, and it can cover the full cost of tuition for eligible adults. It is not, however, unconditional or universal: eligibility depends on your age, your prior qualifications, and sometimes your employment or benefits status.
This guide sets out exactly what is funded, how the main funding routes work, who qualifies, and where to look for a place. It also explains where a paid route, such as Lift College, fits in if you do not meet the funded criteria or want a faster, fully online alternative.
What is actually funded: Level 2 English and maths for eligible adults
The core offer for most adults is straightforward. If you are 19 or over and have not previously achieved a GCSE grade 4 (or grade C under the old system) or an equivalent Level 2 qualification in English or maths, you are entitled to full funding for a Functional Skills or GCSE course in that subject, delivered through your local further education college or an approved training provider.
- Applies to both English and maths independently, so you can be funded for one, the other, or both
- Covers Functional Skills from Entry Level through to Level 2, and GCSE English Language or maths where the provider offers it
- No age cap once you are 19 or over, and there is no requirement to be in work or claiming benefits for this specific entitlement
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 main funding mechanism behind free English and maths courses. It is allocated by the Department for Education and, in some regions, by devolved mayoral combined authorities, then distributed to colleges and training providers who deliver the actual teaching.
The full legal entitlement and funding rules are published by the Department for Education, which the Education and Skills Funding Agency became part of in April 2025; see the Adult Skills Fund guidance on GOV.UK for the current rules.
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| Provision | Who it is fully funded for |
|---|---|
| English and maths up to Level 2 | Adults 19+ without a grade 4 GCSE or equivalent in that subject |
| First full Level 2 qualification | Adults 19 to 23 without an existing full Level 2 |
| First full Level 3 qualification | Adults 19 to 23 without an existing full Level 3 |
| Essential digital skills | Adults 19+ with digital skills below Level 1 |
Because funding is devolved to different regions, exact processes and additional local flexibilities can vary slightly depending on where you live, so your local college is always the best source of the current position for your area.
Free Courses for Jobs: Level 3 for adults with no prior Level 3
Free Courses for Jobs is a separate but related scheme. It funds a first full Level 3 qualification, roughly equivalent to A Levels, in a defined list of sectors including construction, engineering, digital, health and social care, and early years.
- You do not already hold a full Level 3 qualification, or
- You are earning below the annual earnings threshold set for the scheme, or
- You are unemployed, regardless of your prior qualification level
Full current eligibility and the approved qualifications list are published on the Free Courses for Jobs GOV.UK page.
Multiply: numeracy support from 2022 to March 2025
Multiply was a UK government numeracy programme, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, that ran from April 2022 until it closed on 31 March 2025. It was aimed at adults who wanted to improve their confidence and skills with numbers, whether or not they were working towards a formal qualification.
- Targeted at adults aged 19 and over without a Level 2 maths qualification, though some local Multiply schemes widened this
- Offered flexible formats, including short confidence building sessions as well as routes into a full Functional Skills or GCSE maths qualification
- Delivered locally, so the specific courses on offer varied by area and provider
See the Multiply programme details on GOV.UK for background on how the scheme worked. For maths support now, adults can use the Adult Skills Fund entitlement to fully funded maths up to Level 2, including GCSE maths.
Eligibility factors that actually decide your funding
Most confusion about free courses comes down to five factors that providers check before confirming a funded place. None of these are unusual or invasive, but missing one can mean you are offered a paid place instead of a funded one.
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| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Age | Most adult funding routes require you to be 19 or over on the day you start; some routes have upper flexibility, others do not |
| Residency | You typically need to live in England and meet residency requirements, which can include a minimum period of prior UK residence |
| Prior qualifications | Funding for Level 2 English and maths depends on not already holding a grade 4 GCSE or equivalent; Level 3 funding depends on not already holding a full Level 3 |
| Employment status | Some routes, including parts of Free Courses for Jobs and local flexibility funding, treat unemployed learners more generously than those in work |
| Benefits status | Being on certain benefits can affect which local flexibility or co-funding rules apply, particularly for provision below Level 2 |
A college or training provider will normally check these factors as part of enrolment, using an initial assessment and a short eligibility conversation, so it is worth having your prior qualification certificates and proof of address ready.
Where to find funded provision
The most reliable starting points are the National Careers Service course finder, your local further education college, and, for basic digital and numeracy confidence building specifically, Learn My Way, a free online resource aimed at building basic skills.
- National Careers Service: searchable directory of funded courses by postcode and subject
- Local FE college: contact the adult or part-time admissions team directly to check current funded places
- Learn My Way: free, self-paced basic skills practice, useful as a starting point rather than a replacement for an accredited qualification
When funded provision does not fit: how Lift College's paid route compares
Funded provision is genuinely valuable, but it does not suit everyone. Waiting lists, fixed term start dates, and classroom-based delivery can be a barrier if you need to fit study around work or family commitments, or if you do not meet the eligibility criteria above. Lift College offers a paid, fully online route to Functional Skills Maths Level 2, Functional Skills English Level 2, GCSE Maths and GCSE English, with flexible start dates and tutor support, for learners who want a faster or more flexible alternative to funded provision.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for free maths and English courses in the UK?
Is there an age limit on free maths and English courses?
Do I need to be unemployed to get a free English or maths course?
What is Multiply?
Can I get a free GCSE, or is it always Functional Skills?
What is Free Courses for Jobs?
Where can I find a funded course near me?
Do I have to live in England to get funded English and maths courses?
What if I do not meet the eligibility criteria for a funded place?
Is Functional Skills Level 2 accepted instead of GCSE by employers and colleges?
Sources checked
- GOV.UK: Adult Skills Fund (formerly Adult Education Budget)
- ESFA/DfE: Adult Skills Fund funding rules
- National Careers Service: Accessing free training and courses
- GOV.UK: Free Courses for Jobs
- DfE: Multiply, funding to improve adult numeracy skills (programme closed 31 March 2025)
- Learn My Way: Free online basic skills courses