Learning and education

It’s not too late to do qualifications or training. It's probably best to think about what you like doing and what you would like to do in the future and take one step at a time. You may find talking things through with someone helps you work out what you want and how to achieve it. There is so much information and so many options out there, it can feel a bit of a maze trying to work it out by yourself.

If you missed out on A levels, an Access to Higher Education course could help you get on a higher education course. Find out about local courses on the South Gloucestershire and Stroud College website or the City of Bristol College website.

Lots of people don’t do well at school for all kinds of reasons. If you feel like this, there is support to help you feel more confident. The Prince’s Trust runs courses and mentoring for young people.

An Access to Higher Education course will give plenty of guidance and support with study skills such as essay writing, use of IT, research and preparing for exams. South Gloucestershire and Stroud College and City of Bristol College both offer courses locally.

N-gaged offers specialist pre-employment and vocational training in areas like driving and hospitality.

You may need to brush up on skills you missed out on, like maths and English, and there are ways of doing this.

Learn Direct offers some free courses in maths, English, IT and skills for work. There are also many other courses for which you may have to pay.

Local colleges offer courses to help you improve maths and English, as well as other courses. 

Courses at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College and City of Bristol College 

Creative Youth Network runs courses for young people who are out of work. They also offer advice, one-to-one support and help with looking for a job. 

City of Bristol College and South Gloucestershire and Stroud College also offer some creative courses.

There are many free online courses which may be easier to fit around caring:

• Learn Direct offers some free courses in maths, English, IT and skills for work and many other courses for which you have to pay.
• Learn My Way offers free online courses on using a computer, browsing the web, sending an email and finding work online.
• The Open University offers some free courses.

See the Complete University Guide for information about distance  learning. 

In Bristol and South Gloucestershire, many colleges and organisations offer a wide range of courses. Here are some of the adult learning opportunities available:

• City of Bristol College
• South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
• The Folk House
• Workers Education Association
• Downend Folk House

Bristol City Council has adult learning courses. South Gloucestershire Council offers community learning with an emphasis on providing opportunities to people with few or no qualifications.

You may have left school without the opportunity to study at university or you may have completed your Access to Further Education course and would like to go on studying. There is a good choice of universities locally:

• University West of England
• Bristol University
• Bath Spa University
• Bath University

The One You South Gloucestershire website has details of free courses and lots of information aimed at improving people’s health and wellbeing.

Bristol Wellbeing College runs courses aimed at improving wellbeing, covering things like mindfulness, confidence building and managing anxiety and depression.

There may be grants, bursaries and loans that you can apply for, depending on the course. Some students can claim benefits whilst studying. Funding and benefits for students is a complex area, so it's worth getting advice.

The following organisations give further information on funding:

• The government website gives information on grants and bursaries.
• See the government website for information on getting an advanced learner loan.
• See UCAS for information on student loans if you are going to university.
• Find out about benefits you may be able to claim while studying on the Turn 2 Us website.

The National Careers Service has a skills health check where you can take part in quizzes and activities that help you explore your skills and interests.

They also have job profiles where you can find out what qualifications, training and experience you need to get into a particular job, as well as details on pay and what to expect.