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Returning to learning after a break

Learning can be enjoyable, and it’s a great way to catch up on anything you missed out on at school - or prepare for your next career move.

Skills are becoming more and more important in today’s workplace, and doing a course could open up new job options.

Whatever your reasons for returning to learning, there’s lots of support available to help you.

Free advice by phone or email

The Careers Advice Service offers free and impartial advice over the phone:

• 0800 100 900 (calls are free, and lines are open from 8.00 am to 10.00 pm, seven days a week)

You could be entitled to three telephone advice sessions. These will help identify your goals, track your progress and help you with CVs, interviews and action plans. In addition, you'll be able to get information on financial help that may be available.

You can also book a free call back at a time to suit you, or email a learning adviser with your question.

• Book a free call back from a learning adviser
• Email a learning adviser

Free advice in person: nextstep

Depending on your circumstances, you may also be able to get advice in person from your local nextstep service. Follow the link below to find out more.

• Find personal learning and careers advice

Understanding your strengths

Living in the modern world means having to learn new things all the time. Even if you haven’t been in a classroom for years, you’ve probably still been picking up the key skills needed to make you a successful learner:

Adult learning: finding the right course

Not keen on exams? Don’t be put off: there are many courses which let you show what you’ve learned in a less formal way. Assessment can also mean:

• building up a portfolio of work as you go along, or
• a practical demonstration of your skills

Remember that you may be able to get financial support - including help with the costs of childcare.

Many courses offer you the chance to study in a way that suits you, so you can fit learning around other commitments. You could consider a course that lets you do some or all of your studying at home. This type of course is called ‘self study’, ‘distance learning’, ‘open learning’ or ‘e-learning’.

• Choosing the right course
• Help with learning costs: an introduction

Considering higher education?

Most universities have a significant number of ‘mature’ students, and will often consider a range of qualifications when looking at applications. You may also find that you’re given credit for previous work experience.

If there isn’t a university near you and you can’t move away, remember that many local colleges offer higher education courses.

Follow the link below to ‘Routes into university and higher education’ for more details, and bear in mind that you can apply for student finance - including, in some cases, extra financial help if you have children.

• Student finance

Access to higher education courses

If your qualifications don't meet the standard entry requirements for higher education, one option is an Access course.

You don’t necessarily need any formal qualifications to do an Access course, and it allows you to develop study skills, knowledge and confidence.

See ‘Routes into university and higher education’ for more on Access courses.

• Routes into university and higher education

More useful links

• Changing career (employment section)