Paying for your course
There are several options available to help reduce financial barriers to learning. Our teams are always on hand to answer any questions you may have.
ACL receives funding from the Department for Education to deliver courses to Essex residents. This funding could cover some or all the costs of your course depending on your circumstances or prior achievements. A few examples are below. Please come and talk to us so we can see what you may be entitled to.
• Maths and English courses including GCSEs could be free if you don’t already have a C/4 grade or equivalent
• Essential Digital Skills programmes could be free for those with basic IT skills assessed below level 1
• If you’re unemployed or earn a gross annual income of £25,750 or less, you may be eligible to complete a fully funded accredited course, from Entry Level through to Level 2.
• The Level 3 Entitlement means that adults without a full level 3 qualification, eg. A Levels or an Advanced Diploma, or those earning a gross annual income of £25,750 or less, could undertake an accredited course that’s fully funded from the Free Courses for Jobs Offer.
• Advanced Learner Loans are available for courses at levels 3 to 6 and are only paid back once you
start earning £27,295 a year (before tax and other deductions)
• You could get help with travel costs, childcare, and course materials, including books, laptop loans, and WiFi, while you study. This help is available if you have a gross household income of less than £35,750 per annum (not including house shares, or where rent is paid separately), or a personal gross income of less than £25,750 per annum.
• We also have a dedicated team that provide financial advice and guidance to learners during their course should they need it.
• Health and Social Care courses could be fully funded by the Nightingale Care Bursary for those eligible.
• Early Years courses could be fully funded by the Poppins Early Years Bursary for those eligible.
Beauty and Complementary Therapies
Our professional Beauty and Complementary Therapy courses take place in working salons within our centres.
Whilst learning new skills, you will be introduced to the importance of customer service, client interaction and how to run a successful professional salon.
• Beauty Specialist Diploma VTCT Level 2
• Beauty Diploma VTCT Level 3
• Heanna & Brow Laminiation Level 2
• Gel Polish Award Level 2
• Nail Technology Level 2
• Reflexology Level 3
• Beauty Therapy Massage Level 3
• Aesthetic Therapies VTCT Level 3
• Beauty Diploma Aesthetic Procedures Skin Rejuvenation Level 4
Business and Management
If you’re looking to start your own business, develop your current business or improve your own personal business skills, these courses will support you.
• Business and Retail Level 1
• Digital Marketing Level 2
• Planning and Running an Event Level 2
• Principles of Business Administration Level 2
• Information, Advice and Guidance Level 2
• Creating a Business Start Up Level 2
• Principles of Customer Service Level 2
• Principles of Team Leading Level 2
• Lean Organisation Management Techniques Level 2
• Understanding Business Improvement Techniques Level 2
• Setting Up, Running and Marketing a Business
• Leading a Team from Underperformace to Excellence
• Management skills for Success Under Pressure
• Leadership Essentials for Managing Challenging Times
Business Skills Bootcamps
Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 12 weeks that provide you with the opportunity to build valuable sector specific skills. What’s more, you’ll be offered a job interview support once you complete the course and gain your qualification.
Early Years and Education
Are you looking to work with children, or already in the sector and wanting to progress?
• Diploma in Playwork Level 2
• Early Years Practitioner Level 2
• Working in the Early Years Sector Level 3
• Care and Management of Diabetes Level 2
• Care and Management of Diabetes Level 3
We offer an exciting range of courses that will enable you to gain that first rung on the career ladder or move up to the next level. The Poppins Early Years Bursary
• Early Years Advanced Practitioner Level 4
• Early Years Senior Practitioner Level 5
• Preparing to Work in Home
Based Childcare Level 3
• Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties Level 2
• Understanding Autism Level 2
• Understanding Autism Level 3
• Understanding Behaviour that Challeneges Level 2
• Awareness of Mental Health Problems Level 2
• Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Level 2
• Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Level 3
Many of the Early Years courses at ACL are part of the Poppins Bursary, this means they are fully funded to those eligable.
Early Years (Childminding) and Education Skills Bootcamps
Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 12 weeks that provide you with the opportunity to build valuable sector specific skills. What’s more, you’ll be offered a job interview support once you complete the course and gain your qualification.
English, Maths, Science and Digital
English
English plays a vital part in our daily lives. Whether applying for a job, helping your children with their homework or just reading a newspaper or online article.
Maths
Maths plays a vital part in our daily lives. Whether creating a budget for the month, measuring for a DIY project or following a recipe, improving your maths skills can help.
Digital
Learning new digital skills has many benefits and can support you in both your personal life and work life.
Science
Science is not only fascinating, it’s a powerful tool for developing analytical thinking and transferable skills that are highly valued in the workplace.
Employability
Are you looking to improve your employment prospects to get back into work or move into a new job opportunity?
We are here to give you the tools you need to help you succeed.
• Procrastination and Time Management
• Stepping Up Your Motivation
• Emotional Intelligence at Work
• Returning to Work after a Break
• Intensive Back to Work Programme
• And Many More!
GCSE
• GCSE English
• GCSE Maths
• GCSE Chemistry
• GCSE Physics
• GCSE Biology
• Emergency First Aid at Work Level 3
• Emergency Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Hairdressing and Barbering First Aid
Our professional hairdressing and barbering courses take place in working salons within our centres.
Whilst learning new skills, you will be introduced to the importance of customer service, client interaction and how to run a successful professional salon.
Whether you’re looking to boost your confidence, enhance your CV, or be prepared to help in an emergency, our first aid courses are designed to give you the practical skills and knowledge you need.
• Hair Getting Started
• Barbering Getting Started
• Hair Refresher
• Hair Keratin Blowdry
• Hair and Barbering VTCT Level 1
• Hairdressing VTCT NVQ Level 2
• Barbering VTCT NVQ Level 2
• Hairdressing VTCT NVQ Level 3
• Barbering VTCT NVQ Level 3
Health and Social Care
Our health and social care courses will enable you to take that first step into an exciting career or could support you to develop transferable and existing skills.
If you are currently working in the health sector or considering a new career, we have something for you.
• Diploma in Care Level 2
• Housekeeping NVQ Level 2
• Diploma in Adult Care Level 3
• Diploma in Adult Care Level 4
• Diploma in Leadership and Management in Adult Care Level 5
• Customer Service for Health and Social Care Settings Level 2
• Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties Level 2
• Principles of Dementia Care Level 2
• Principles of Dementia Care Level 3
• Safe Handling of Medication in Health and Social Care Level 2
• Understanding Autism Level 2
• Understanding Autism Level 3
• Behaviour that Challeneges Level 2
The Nightingale Health and Social Care Bursary
Most of the Health and Social Care courses at ACL are part of the Nightingale Bursary, this means they are fully funded to those eligable.
Health and Social Care Skills Bootcamps
Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 12 weeks that provide you with the opportunity to build valuable sector specific skills. What’s more, you’ll be offered a job interview support once you complete the course and gain your qualification.
