Adult and Professional Courses
We help thousands of adults every year to achieve their dreams.
Whether you are looking to learn for fun, gain a qualification for your career or learn new skills to help you get back to work, we have something for you.
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Don't have the qualifications to study at university?
We have specially designed courses for those who want to study for a foundation degree but don’t have the necessary formal qualifications. Tap here to find out more.
Access to Higher Education
Access to Higher Education Diplomas are a well established set of qualifications designed for those who do not have the UCAS points to enter a university level course but who do have life experience and a willingness to learn.
They will prepare you for a range of studies at university level and will build your confidence and abilities in English, maths, I.T., research and study skills. Tap here to find out more.
Free Online Courses
Our free online courses are available for anyone aged 19 or over and living in the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral). They are introductions to subject areas and designed to give you confidence and help to stimulate your mind and push your boundaries without even leaving your home. Tap here to find out more.
The Mature Student Experience
If you're considering returning to education, our college offers a nurturing and supportive environment that can make your transition smoother and more rewarding. Our students tell you more in this video.
Free GCSE English and Maths for Adults
Our free GCSE English and maths courses for adults are ideal if you need them for a job, are looking to change your career or if you’re applying for further or higher education.
We offer two different pathways of study, at College or at home. Tap here to find out more.
Full-time College Courses
Did you know there is no upper age limit on our full-time College courses? That means as long as you're aged 16+, you can apply. They are a great place to start if you want to get back into education to pursue a new career or simply learn additional skills.
We have a wide range of subjects available to study from, Hospitality to Engineering to Sport, Hairdressing or Floral Design to name a just a few. Depending on your circumstances, you could study these courses for free.
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Study for Free and Financial Support
A lack of money or finance shouldn’t be a barrier to learning or your success - we are here to support you.
If you need help or advice, please get in touch with our Student Services Finance team on 0151 353 4444 or email student.finance@hughbaird.ac.uk.
Entry and Level 1 courses will be FREE if you live in the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral) and:
- Are unemployed and in receipt of a state benefit;
- Earn less than £18,525 per year (£1,544 per month); or
- Are aged 19-23 and have not already achieved a full Level 2 qualification (equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grade A-C/9-4) and need to study at this level in order to progress to a full Level 2.
Level 2 courses may be FREE if you live in the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral) and:
- Are aged 24 or over, are unemployed and in receipt of a state benefit;
- Earn less than £18,525 per year (£1,544 per month) †; or
- Are studying a full Level 2 course, are aged 19-23, and have not already achieved a full Level 2 qualification (equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grade A-C/9-4).
(A first full Level 2 course includes: 5 GCSEs at grade A*- C, BTEC First Diploma, NVQ Level 2, GNVQ Intermediate.) † Courses must be a full Level 2 for those aged 19-23.
Level 3 courses will be FREE if you live in the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral) and:
- Are studying a first full Level 3 course, are aged 19-23 and do not already have a full Level 3 qualification (equivalent to 2 A-levels); or
- Are studying a Lifetime Skills Guarantee course and are either:
- aged 24 or over and do not already have a full Level 3 qualification (equivalent to 2 A-levels); or
- aged 19+ and earn less than £18,525 per year (£1,544 per month).
(A first full Level 3 course includes: 2 A-levels at grade A*-E, BTEC National Diploma, BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC National Certificate, NVQ Level 3, GNVQ Advanced.)
Maths and English courses will be FREE if you live in the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral) and have not yet attained a grade A-C/4-9 in either of these subjects.
The College offers GCSE and Functional Skills qualifications. Your teacher will help to determine which option is most appropriate to your needs.
_The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority also has some additional flexibilities for programmes at Level 2 or below which may qualify you for a free course. Other conditions also apply.
Advanced Learner Loans are for those aged over 19 who want to study a Level 3 or higher course. They can help with course tuition fees. They’re not dependent on your income and you don’t need to pay the loan back until you are in employment.
For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan
Advanced Learning Bursarys are for those aged 19+ who may be encountering financial barriers to education. They can help cover the cost of transport and childcare whilst attending College. They are funded by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA).
Tuition Fee Loans
You don’t need to pay for your tuition fees up front - Tuition Fee Loans cover university or college tuition fees and are paid direct to the university or college, by Student Finance England. They are available to all eligible students regardless of household income. The amount you pay back is dependent on how much you earn.
Maintenance Loan
When you’re studying at our University Centre, you might find you need extra help with money for day-to-day living costs, accommodation, food or course materials. Maintenance loans are usually paid in three instalments, directly into your bank account. (For full time students only).
For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/student-finance
Laura Crellin
"I came back in to education because I wanted to do something with my life. I thought, my kids are grown up, now it's time I did something for myself.”
Laura Crellin explains why she decided to return to education and what it's like to be an adult learner here at Hugh Baird College.
Nicky Wright
"It can be daunting at first, but the staff are really supportive and if you put the work in, they will be with you all the way.”
Nicky attended GCSE maths and English classes at Hugh Baird College in order to enable her to move on to higher level study. Nicky then moved on to the Access to Higher Education – Healthcare qualification and ultimately hopes to become a Nurse.
Karen Parsons
"I would say go for it! The course helped me so much. I am now working full time and use the skills I learnt every day.”
Karen attended Hugh Baird College and studied in the College’s Business Administration Centre. She successfully completed the Level 2 Business Administration qualification and, thanks to her new skills and determination, went on to secure employment at Sheet Metal Services, (Seaforth) Ltd.
Being an Adult Learner
Coming back to education after a break can seem very daunting. But there’s nothing to worry about. We’ll make sure you have everything you need to pick up new skills, advance your career or enjoy a new hobby.
We have a huge range of courses to choose at Hugh Baird College, in lots of different subject areas. As an adult learner, you can study almost all of them. It all depends on the existing qualifications you have, and what you’d like to accomplish.
If you’re not sure which is best for you, our Careers Team can help you find the perfect course. They’re always on hand with expert help and advice - either call 0151 353 4444 or email careers@hughbaird.ac.uk.
This is one of the reasons many adult learners are wary about coming back to College, but you don’t need to worry.
We have a huge number of courses that are aimed at adult learners only, so you’ll be studying alongside people just like you. Many classes take place in the evening to work around your other commitments.
Depending on the course and level you choose, you may find yourself with some younger people, but everyone in your class has made the decision to continue studying and is committed to learning new skills and building their knowledge.
Of course, we understand that the majority of our adult learners will have jobs and lots of other commitments too. We want you to be able to study and learn alongside those.
The timetable you follow will depend on the type of course you choose, but many of our subjects have part-time options. Even our full-time courses might only require you to be in College two or three days a week.
You could even study for a qualification with your current employer, learning and working on the job. Whatever you would like to achieve, we can help you find the best option for you.
