Adult Learners

Part-time & professional courses for 19+ year olds.

Whether you are looking to progress your career with a professional qualification, change career direction with an apprenticeship or higher education programme, or are hoping to upskill with one of our part-time adult or distance learning courses, we’re sure to have something that’s right for you.

Which path will you take?

Free Online Learning

Free courses, subject to the eligibility criteria.

Access to HE Courses

A nationally recognised one year course preparing adults for university.

Business & Professional Courses

Courses to help you get professionally qualified.

Basic Skills Courses

From Maths & English for adults, ESOL courses and a range of Digital Skills courses.

Skills Bootcamps

Skills Bootcamps help you develop new skills that employers are looking for.

Free Courses for Jobs

Available to adults (19 and over) who are unemployed or earn below the threshold.

Three state-of-the-art Colleges

Wakefield College

In the heart of Wakefield city centre, Wakefield College is a modern, social hub for any level of student. Following a significant investment in its campus, the College boasts a state-of-the-art Creative Industries Centre, Digital Industries hub, School of Popular Music, Performing Arts Theatre Mechanics’ and an award-winning Restaurant, Gaskells.

Three state-of-the-art Colleges

Selby College

Following a £35m investment in its campus, Selby College is home to an automated Engineering facility which boasts the latest industry 4.0 equipment, state-of-the-art construction facilities, a high-tech IT laboratory and industry-standard beauty salons and kitchen.

Three state-of-the-art Colleges

Castleford College

Castleford College provides an exceptional learning environment for students studying vocational qualifications. Located just off the M62, and a five minute walk from Glasshoughton train station, the College has excellent public transport links to Castleford, Pontefract and Wakefield.

Adult Learner Courses

Animal Care
Art, Design & Photography
Automotive
Business & Management
Childcare, Early Years & Childhood Studies
Computing
Construction
Digital Industries
ESOL
Engineering
English & Humanities
Hair & Beauty
Health, Social Care & Wellbeing
Horticulture
Hospitality & Catering
Maths & Science
Music
Purchasing, Supply & Logistics
Retail & Customer Service
Social Sciences
Sport
Teacher Training

Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

Diploma in Dog Grooming

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

Access to Higher Education - Creative Arts Pathway

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

Exploring Printmaking

Start Date: TBC Location: Selby College

Exploring Studio Photography

Start Date: TBC Location: Selby College

Introduction to Garment Making

Start Date: TBC Location: Selby College

IMI Award in Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Awareness

Start Date: TBC Location: Castleford College

IMI Award in the Diagnosis, Testing and Repair of Electric/Hybrid Vehicles and Components

Start Date: TBC Location: Castleford College

Motorcycle Maintenance

Start Date: September Location: Castleford College

Motorcycle Maintenance & Repair Principles

Start Date: September Location: Castleford College

Women’s Basic Automotive Maintenance

Start Date: September then several courses throughout the year Location: Castleford College

Access to HE Diploma Business (Blended)

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

Advanced Diploma Accounting

Start Date: Various dates Location: Wakefield College

Certificate in Accounting

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

CIPD Foundation Certificate People Practice

Start Date: Various dates Location: Online Learning

CMI Award Management and Leadership

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Wakefield College

CMI Award Principles of First Line Management and Leadership

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Online Learning

CMI Certificate Management and Leadership

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Wakefield College

CMI Diploma Principles of First Line Management and Leadership

Start Date: Various entry points Location: Blended Learning

CMI Level 3 Certificate in Coaching & Mentoring

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Online Learning

CMI Level 3 Diploma: Principles of Management and Leadership

Start Date: Roll on roll off Location: Online Learning

Digital Marketing

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Diploma Business Administration

Start Date: Flexible Location: Workplace Based

Diploma Business Administrator

Start Date: Flexible Location: Workplace Based

Diploma in Management

Start Date: Flexible Location: Workplace Based

Diploma Management and Leadership

Start Date: Various start dates Location: Wakefield College

Equality and Diversity

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

ILM (NVQ) Diploma in Management and Leadership

Start Date: Flexible Location: Workplace Based

Lean Management Techniques

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

Principles of Customer Service

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Principles of Team Leading

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Skills Bootcamp - Digital Skills (IT Office Skills)

Start Date: TBC Location: Wakefield College

Skills Bootcamp - Project Management

Start Date: TBC Location: Wakefield College

Diploma Early Years Practitioner

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Workplace Based

Introducing Caring for Children and Young People

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner

Start Date: Roll on roll off Location: Workplace Based

Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Playwork

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Online Learning

Skills Bootcamp - Digital Skills (IT Office Skills)

Start Date: TBC Location: Wakefield College

Award Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Water Byelaws in the UK

Start Date: Various Start Dates Location: Castleford College

Green Skills Implementation of Building Information Modelling

Start Date: Various Dates Location: Castleford College

Green Skills Rainwater Harvesting & Greywater Recycling Systems

Start Date: Various Dates Location: Castleford College

Level 2 NVQ Diploma Wood Occupations (Construction) - Site Carpentry

Start Date: Various start dates Location: Workplace Based

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations - General

Start Date: Throughout the year Location: Workplace Based

Level 3 NVQ Diploma Wood Occupations (Construction) - Site Carpentry

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Castleford College

NVQ Diploma Plumbing and Heating

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Castleford College

NVQ Diploma Trowel Occupations (Construction) - Bricklaying

Start Date: Various start dates Location: Castleford College

Qualifications for Skills: NVQ Diploma Wood Occupations (Construction)

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Castleford College

Rail Engineering - Track Maintenance

Start Date: Various Start Dates Location: Castleford College

Rail Engineering - Track Maintenance

Start Date: Various Start Dates Location: Selby College

Skills Bootcamp - Construction Site Operative

Start Date: Location: Wakefield College

Access to Higher Education - Creative Industries Pathway

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

Start Date: September or January Location: Castleford College

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

Start Date: September or January Location: Wakefield College

Access to Engineering

Start Date: August 2026 Location: Online Learning

Introduction to PLC & Automation

Start Date: Flexible Location: Castleford College

Level 1 Introductory Welding Skills

Start Date: March 23rd 2026 Location: Castleford College

Level 2 Welding Skills

Start Date: March 23rd 2026 Location: Castleford College

Level 3 Welding Skills

Start Date: March 23rd 2026 Location: Castleford College

Skills Bootcamp - Heat Recovery & Transfer

Start Date: TBC Location: Selby College

Skills Bootcamp - Principles of Carbon Capture & Storage

Start Date: TBC Location: Selby College

Access to Higher Education - Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

Functional Skills English Classes

Start Date: September 2026 or January 2027 Location: Castleford College

Functional Skills in English Online

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

GCSE English and Functional Skills English Classes

Start Date: September 2026 or January 2027 Location: Wakefield College

GCSE English Classes

Start Date: September Location: Selby College

Beauty Therapy 3003-63

Start Date: September Location: Castleford College

NVQ Barbering

Start Date: September Location: Selby College

VRQ Barbering

Start Date: September 2026 Location: Castleford College

Women's Hairdressing 3002-64

Start Date: September Location: Castleford College

Access to HE Diploma (Health Science Professions)

Start Date: August 2026 Location: Online Learning

Access to Health Science (Blended)

Start Date: September Location: Selby College

Access to Higher Education - Healthcare Professions Pathway

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

Access to Midwifery

Start Date: August Location: Online Learning

Access to Nursing

Start Date: August Location: Online Learning

Awareness of Bullying in Children and Young People

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Awareness of Mental Health Problems

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Certificate in Counselling

Start Date: September 2026 Location: Selby College

Certificate in Counselling Skills

Start Date: September 2026 Location: Selby College

Certificate in Understanding Autism

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Online Learning

Certificate in Understanding Mental Health

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Online Learning

Counselling Skills

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Diploma in Adult Social Care

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Online Learning

Diploma in Care

Start Date: Various dates Location: Blended Learning

Diploma in Counselling

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Online Learning

Diploma in Healthcare Support

Start Date: Various dates Location: Workplace Based

Diploma in Healthcare Support Worker

Start Date: January 2026 Location: Online Learning

Diploma Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools

Start Date: Various dates Location: Workplace Based

Improving Personal Exercise, Health and Nutrition

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Level 2 Certificate in Health and Social Care

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care

Start Date: September 2026 Location: Wakefield College

Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry to Professional Practice for Dental Nurses (Diploma)

Start Date: Various dates Location: Wakefield College

Mental Health First Aid and Well-being Advocacy

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Nutrition and Health

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Principles of Dementia Care

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Principles of the Mental Health Worker

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Principles of Understanding Dementia Care

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Online Learning

Principles of Working with and Supporting Individuals with Learning Disabilities

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Skills Bootcamp - Health & Social Care

Start Date: TBC Location: Wakefield College

Special Education Needs and Disability

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Understanding Autism

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Understanding Distressed Behaviour in Children

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Award Creative Craft - Floristry

Start Date: October Location: Wakefield College

Certificate Creative Craft - Floristry

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

Level 3 Certificate General Patisserie & Confectionery

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

NVQ Diploma in Professional Cookery

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

NVQ Diploma Professional Cookery 7133-02

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

Access to Biomedical Science

Start Date: August Location: Online Learning

Access to Higher Education - Science Pathway

Start Date: Septemer Location: Wakefield College

Access to Science, Medical & Health

Start Date: August Location: Online Learning

Functional Skills in Maths Online

Start Date: August 2026 Location: Online Learning

Functional Skills Maths Classes

Start Date: September 2026 or January 2027 Location: Castleford College

GCSE Maths and Functional Skills Maths Classes

Start Date: September 2026 or January 2027 Location: Wakefield College

GCSE Maths Classes

Start Date: September Location: Selby College

Access to Higher Education - Music Technology Pathway

Start Date: September Location: Wakefield College

Exploring Music Production

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Wakefield College

Skills Bootcamp - LGV Driver

Start Date: TBC Location: Castleford College

Skills Bootcamp - Warehouse Operative

Start Date: TBC Location: Castleford College

Diploma Customer Service Practitioners

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Workplace Based

Diploma Customer Service Specialists

Start Date: Flexible Location: Workplace Based

Access to Psychology

Start Date: August 2026 Location: Online Learning

Access to Social Work

Start Date: August Location: Online Learning

Diploma Gym Instructing and Personal Training

Start Date: January 2026 Location: Wakefield College

Diploma Gym Instructing and Personal Training

Start Date: September 2026 & January 2027 Location: Selby College

Diploma Personal Training

Start Date: September 2026 & January 2027 Location: Wakefield College

Diploma Personal Training

Start Date: September 2026 & January 2027 Location: Selby College

Level 3 Diploma Sports Massage Therapy

Start Date: September2026 & January 2027 Location: Selby College

Level 3 Diploma Sports Massage Therapy

Start Date: September 2026 & January 2027 Location: Wakefield College

Level 4 Certificate Sports Massage Therapy

Start Date: September 2026 or January 2027 Location: Selby College

Level 4 Certificate Sports Massage Therapy

Start Date: September 2026 or January 2027 Location: Wakefield College

Award Education and Training

Start Date: Various Location: Wakefield College

Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning

Start Date: Available to enrol from August 2025 Location: Online Learning

Level 2 Certificate Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools

Start Date: Various Location: Workplace Based

Level 3 Certificate Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools

Start Date: Various Location: Workplace Based

Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Supporting Teaching and Learning (Diploma)

Start Date: September 2026 Location: Blended Learning

NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning

Start Date: Flexible start dates Location: Online Learning

Qualifications for Quality Assurance

Start Date: Various Location: Workplace Based

Qualifications in Assessment

Start Date: Various Location: Workplace Based

Adult Learning Course Guide 2025

Whether you want to upskill, retrain or do something fun, education has the power to unlock so many opportunities.

Meet Our Students

Life is so different after studying this course, College has given me everything.

Sidra

ESOL, Maths & Science

I plan to take this newfound knowledge back to my team and explore the safety and environmental aspects of it, allowing us to support the projects team more.

Emily

Engineering

I have been enjoying the hands-on learning; we do a full groom from start to finish of a dog each session.

Phil

Animal Care

I want to go on and continue my studies to university-level as I’d like to be a social worker for children with SEND needs in the future.

Sevinj

Health, Social Care & Wellbeing

Studying GCSE Maths at Selby College is giving me the qualification, knowledge and confidence I need to become a nurse.

Mariya

Maths & Science

If it wasn’t for this course, I would not have the education that is vital to my desired career path.

Liabah

Health, Social Care & Wellbeing

The Heat Recovery & Transfer course has given me the knowledge to be able to calculate what energy my employer Lambsons Building Products is using and losing.

John

Engineering

Understanding how much energy we use and could be saving was important to my employer Lambsons Building Products, so the Heat Recovery & Transfer programme was a perfect solution.

Toby

Engineering

I’ve enjoyed learning about anatomy, practicing all the different massage techniques.

Lasma

Sport

I chose to study this course because I want a new career path in Sport Massage Therapy and be able to set up my own mobile business.

Tyler

Sport

I began this course because I have recently retired and would like a new career path running my own dog grooming business.

Fiona

Animal Care

I would like to be an Engineer on Drax’s Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) plant one day.

Daniel

Engineering

Learner Loans

Advanced Learner Loans are available for 19+ year olds to help pay towards the course fees.

Learn about Advanced Learner Loans

Money Matters

Explore the different funding options available to help you through your course.

Learn more about financial support

Speak to Us...

Whether you want to know more about a particular course or have questions about applying?

Contact the Course Information team

How to Enrol

Before your course starts, you’ll need to enrol at the College where your course will be delivered.

Learn more about enrolment process

Levels Explained

We do look at everyone individually with the aim to get you started at the right level for you.

Finding the right level for you

Available Support

We are committed to working with all students to identify and meet their learning needs and goals.

Learn more about learner support

College Information

We have three amazing Colleges spread across the Yorkshire region all with excellent transport links.

Learn more about our Colleges

Open Events

Visit one of our Open Events to find out more about our courses and talk to our tutors.

Learn more about forthcoming events