Gain a fully accredited Level 2 or Level 3 qualification from home or work.
Whether you're building your own skills or training your team, we offer flexible learning courses across a wide
Our flexible learning courses are free* to students who complete their course.
View our flexible learning courses by visiting our course finder.
*Check eligibility criteria below.
What is flexible learning?
Flexible learning gives you the freedom to study where and when it suits you.
It's designed for busy adults – ideal if you're balancing work, family or other commitments but still want to build new skills or improve your career prospects.
You don't need to come onto campus. Study independently, at your own pace, with tutor support throughout.
A variety of funded courses are available, including mental health, safeguarding, counselling skills, autism awareness, business administration, customer service, cyber security, dementia care and special educational needs.
Benefits of flexible learning
- Fit your course around your other responsibilities.
- Study at home or from your workplace.
- Build transferable skills such as planning, research and self-motivation.
How flexible learning works
All learning takes place via Teams, online, telephone, email and post.
Your tutor will contact you to arrange your induction and will guide you through the course. You can also join workshops for extra support.
Length of course
The course length depends on the content and number of workbooks, but most students finish before their target date.
How is the course assessed?
You can complete your course in two ways:
- online, using our eLearning website
- on paper, using assessments and workbooks
Your course pack includes everything you need: assessments, workbooks and freepost envelopes to send back your work.
Key information
- You’ll need to complete around five questions within 20 days of your start date – these are taken from your first full assessment and help you stay on track from the start.
- Your first full assessment is due within six weeks of starting. While it's being marked, move on to your next workbook.
- A small number of courses are online only – for these, allow at least 6–7 hours a week to stay on track.
Can I study more than one course at a time?
You can only study one flexible learning course at a time, but you can sign up for another as soon as you've completed it.
Can I complete more than one Level 3 course?
You can only complete one flexible learning Level 3 course, so choose the one that will benefit you most.
Eligibility to study for free
Our flexible learning courses are Level 2 or Level 3 NCFE or CACHE qualifications and are free to everyone who's eligible. You can be employed or unemployed but must meet the below criteria.
Home address
Flexible learning courses are funded for residents living within the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (NEMSA). This covers County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
We are not funded by the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) but can offer these courses to those living in DL1 & DL2, DL4 & DL5, and DL11 to DL17.
We can also offer courses free to students living in a non-devolved postcode. Not sure whether that's you? Contact us and we'll check for you.
General eligibility
- You're aged 19 or over during the academic year you wish to study.
- You've lived in the UK, EU or EEA continuously for three years or more.
- You have not completed the same course before.
- You are not completing another flexible learning course with us or any other training provider.
- You have a good level of English to understand, engage with and meet the course requirements.
Level 2 eligibility
- Aged 19 to 23: you can use your free first full Level 2 legal entitlement.
- Aged 19+: free to all students (full or co-funded by us, based on an earnings threshold of £30,000).
Level 3 eligibility
- Aged 19 to 23: you can use your free first full Level 3 legal entitlement.
- Aged 19+: Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ) for those earning below £30,000.
If you don't live in the areas listed above, we can still offer our Level 2 and Level 3 courses on a commercial, full-cost basis.
Contact us
Got more questions about the eligibility criteria?
Call the Flexible Learning Team on 0191 518 8390 or Student Services on 0191 518 8222 and we'll help you figure it out.
