Courses for Adults Starting in January

Part Time Courses Starting in January & February 2025

East Durham College provides training and education to more adults from County Durham than any other further education provider in the North East - and nearly 50% more than the next largest provider.

Do you want to learn something new, increase your skills, meet new people and even improve your career prospects? Then why not get started with one of our fantastic part-time courses - many of which are completely free and available exclusively for adult learners! 

Please see the list below of the exciting courses starting in January and February.

You can register your interest by using the short form at the bottom of this page or by clicking through to the course you are interested in and then clicking Apply Now.

Course Fees & Funding

Concerned about funding your course? Don't be - there's loads of support available from the college!

If you earn under £25,000 you can study the vast majority of our Level 1, 2 and 3 courses completely FREE of charge*, and if you earn over this threshold, you can also pay in instalments for Level 1/Level 2 courses, or use the Advanced Learner Loan to fund Level 3 courses. Some courses are even completely FREE for everyone*, so make sure you have a good look below to find the right course for you!

*subject to postcode eligibility and/or personal circumstances

Accountancy Courses (Peterlee Campus)

We've crunched the numbers - our part-time accountancy courses are definitely the best way to kickstart or further your future career in accountancy!

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping (AAT) - Part Time Thurs, 5:00PM to 9:00PM30 January 202519TBC
Level 3 Diploma in Accounting (AAT) - Part TimeThurs, 5:00PM to 9:00PM30 January 20251 YearTBC

Access to Higher Education (Peterlee Campus)

Access to HE is all about getting you to university - if you missed the chance to go the first time around, it's never too late thanks to Access!

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Access to HE Diploma (Nursing & Midwifery) - Part TimeTues & Thurs, 9AM-12:15PM OR 6PM-9PM28th January 20251 Year£3,384*
Access to HE Diploma (Computing) Part TimeTues & Thurs, 6PM-9PM28th January 20251 Year£3,384*

Agriculture - Houghall Campus (Durham)

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Level 1 Introduction to Farming - Part TimeThurs, 5:30PM to 8:30PM30th January 202510 WeeksFREE

Animal Care - Houghall Campus (Durham)

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Level 1 Introduction to Animal Care - Part TimeWed, 5:30PM to 8:30PM29th January 202510 weeksFREE
Level 2 Zoo & Exotic Husbandry - Part TimeWed, 6PM-9PM12th February 202516 weeksFREE
Level 2 Animal Behaviour & Welfare - Part TimeWed, 6PM-9PM12th February 202516 weeksFREE
Level 2 Intro to Native Wildlife - Part TimeWed, 6PM-9PM12th February 202516 weeksFREE

Art & Design/Craft - Peterlee Campus

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Creative Craft (Textiles) Level 1 - Part TimeTues, 5PM-8PM7th January 202510 weeksFREE
Creative Craft (Sewing & Textiles) Level 2 - Part TimeTues 4:30PM-8PM7th January 202516 weeksFREE

Barbering, Hairdressing & Beauty - Peterlee Campus

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Level 2 Award in Cutting Men's Hair - Part Time3hrs/week, Mon 9AM-12PM13th January 202510 weeksFREE
Level 1 Certificate in an Introduction to the Hair OR the Beauty Sector - Part TimeBeauty: Mon, 9AM-12PM
Hair: Fri, 9AM-12PM
13th January 2025
17th January 2025
20 weeksFREE

Childcare

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Level 1 Award in Introduction to Early Years Settings - Part TimeThursday evenings7th January 20258 weeksFREE

Computing & ICT - Peterlee Campus

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Essential Digital Skills - Part TimeVariesVariesVariesFREE
Digital Functional Skills - Part TimeVariesVariesVariesFREE
Access to HE Diploma (Computing) Part TimeTues & Thurs, 6PM-9PM14th January 20251 year£3,384*

Cookery & Hospitality - Peterlee Campus

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Level 2 Certificate in Hospitality & Catering - Part TimeThurs, 4PM-9PM16th January 202518 weeksFREE
Level 2 Patisserie - Part TimeThurs, 4PM-9PM16th January 202518 weeksFREE
Level 2 Barista Skills - Part TimeTues, 5PM-9PM21st January 20255 weeksFREE

Counselling - Peterlee Campus

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills - Part TimeTues, 6PM to 9PM7th January 202514 weeksFREE
Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills - Part TimeTues, 5:45PM to 9PM7th January 202523 weeks£950*

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) - Peterlee Campus

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) - Part TimeDaytime/EveningW/c 27th January 2025VariousFREE

Floristry - Houghall Campus (Durham)

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Level 1 Award in Creative Craft Floristry - Part TimeWed or Thur 6PM-9PM or Fri 1:15PM-4:15PMW/c 3rd February 202515 weeks£335*
Progression course after Level 1 is the Level 2 in Creative Craft Floristry - Part TimeTues or Wed 6PM-9PM or Fri 9:15AM-12:15PM W/c 3rd February 202515 weeksTBC

GCSE & Functional Skills Maths/English - Peterlee Campus

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Functional Skills English - Part TimeDaytime/EveningW/c 27th January 2025VariousFREE
Functional Skills Maths - Part TimeDaytime/EveningW/c 27th January 2025VariousFREE

Healthcare - Peterlee Campus

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Nutrition & Health - Part TimeTues, 5.30PM-8.30PM28th January 202518 weeksFREE

Horse Care (Equine) - Houghall Campus, Durham

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Level 1 Introduction to Horse Care - Part TimeMon, 5:30PM-8:30PM13th January 202510 weeksFREE
British Horse Society (BHS) Stage 1 - Care - Part TimeMon, 5:30PM-8:30PMJan/Feb8 weeks£250
British Horse Society (BHS) Stage 2 - Care & Lunge - Part TimeTues, 5:30PM-8:30PM14th January 202510 weeks£468
British Horse Society (BHS) Silver Challenge Award Horse Care Pathway - Part TimeMon, 6.30PM-8.30PM13th January 20256 weeks£200
British Horse Society (BHS) Silver Challenge Award Rider Pathway - Part TimeMon, 5.30PM-6.30Pm13th January 20256 weeks£173

Horticulture - Houghall Campus, Durham

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Level 1 Introduction to Gardening - Part TimeFri or Sat, 9AM-12PM31st Jan or 1st Feb 202510 weeksFREE

Photography - Peterlee Campus

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Level 1 Award in Photography - Part TimeTues, 5:30-8:30PM7th January 202510 weeksFREE

Sport - Peterlee Campus

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing - Part TimeTues or Thurs, 5:30PM-8:30PM7th January 202517 weeksFREE
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Nutrition & Health - Part TimeTues, 5.30PM-8.30PM28th January 202518 weeksFREE

Teaching Support & Teacher Training - Peterlee or Houghall Campus

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Schools - Part Time at PeterleeThurs, 5PM-9PM6th February 20258 weeksFREE
Level 1 Award in an Introduction to Working or Volunteering in Early Years Settings - Part Time at PeterleeThurs, 5PM-9PM10th April 20258 weeksFREE
Level 3 Education & Training - Part Time at HoughallWed, 5:30PM-8:30PM29th January 202514 weeks£234*

Travel & Tourism - Peterlee Campus

CourseDays/TimesStart DateNo. Of WeeksCost
Level 1 Certificate in Exploring the Aviation Industry - Part TimeThurs, 5PM-8PM22nd January 202512 weeksFREE

*Financial support/no fees may be available depending on your individual circumstances. See our Course Fees & Funding page for more info.

Distance Learning Courses

With our wide range of distance learning courses, you can gain fully accredited level 2 and level 3 qualifications in many different subjects from the comfort of your own home. To apply for a Distance Learning, please click on the course you would like to study and then apply from the specific course page.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (Level 2 Certificate)Autism (Level 2 Certificate)Autism (Level 3 Certificate)
Behaviour That Challenges (Level 2 Certificate)Business Administration (Level 2 Certificate)Cancer Support Level 2 Certificate
Care & Management of Diabetes (Level 2 Certificate)Caring for Children and Young People (Level 2 Certificate)Children & Young People's Mental Health (Level 2 Certificate)
Climate Change and Environmental Awareness (Level 2 Certificate)Counselling Skills (Level 2 Certificate)Customer Service (Level 2 Certificate)
Cyber Security (Level 2 Certificate)Dementia Care (Level 2 Certificate)Domestic Abuse (Level 2 Certificate)
End of Life Care (Level 2 Certificate)Individuals with Learning Disabilities (Level 2 Certificate)Information, Advice or Guidance (Level 2 Certificate)
Lean Organisation Management Techniques (Level 2 Certificate)Mental Health Problems (Level 2 Certificate)Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace (Level 2 Certificate)
Mental Health (Level 3 Certificate)Mental Health in the Early Years (Level 2 Certificate)Neuroscience in Early Years (Level 2 Award)
Nutrition and Health (Level 2 Certificate)Personal Exercise, Health and Nutrition (Level 2 Certificate)Safe Handling of Medicines (Level 2 Certificate)
Safeguarding and Prevent (Level 2 Certificate)Specific Learning Difficulties (Level 2 Certificate)Team Leading (Level 2 Certificate)

Please use the form below to apply for any of the above courses, excluding Distance Learning courses. To apply for a Distance Learning, please click on the course above you'd like to study and then apply from the specific course page.

January Starts - Adult Courses Application Form

Address details
Which Course(s) Would You Like to Register Your Interest For/Apply?
Criminal Convictions Disclosure
Do you have any unspent criminal convictions or convictions that can never become unspent? Please read the terms below.
East Durham College has a commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for our Learners, Staff and visitors and therefore requires all Learners applying for a place to disclose any unspent convictions. Please note that any convictions considered spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 should not be disclosed. Disclosing convictions will not exclude you from enrolling on a course at East Durham College, however the information may be used when considering your application and/or the College may require further information from you in order to assist with the decision making process. East Durham College reserves the right to reject an application or enrolment as a result of a criminal conviction when taking into consideration the College's responsibilities and rights in the circumstances.