Free Courses & Learning
Free courses, new skills and recognised qualifications, for parents, carers and SEND families across the UK.
Every course here was checked in October 2026. Each one links straight to the provider's own page, and the label tells you whether the learning itself is free, whether a certificate costs extra, or whether funding eligibility applies.
What's here
This section is here to help you find learning you can actually afford: free online courses, free English, maths and computer skills, and government-funded training that can lead to a recognised qualification.
Nothing here is sold by SENDBridge, and we take no payment or commission from any provider. Every link goes to the provider's own website, so you always read the current details from the people who run the course.
Look at the label on each course first. Green means the learning is completely free. Amber means you can study for free but a certificate costs extra. Blue means the course may be funded, depending on your circumstances.
Computer Skills & Microsoft Office
Start from turning a device on, or build up spreadsheets and documents for work.
- Completely freeLearn My Way
Free digital skills courses
Free step-by-step courses that start with using a device and go on to email, online forms, video calls and staying safe online.
Go to Learn My Way - Completely freeBarclays Digital Wings
Free digital learning
Free bite-sized digital courses, from the basics of using a computer through to spreadsheets and staying safe online.
Go to Barclays Digital Wings - Certificate costs extraMicrosoft Learn
Free training for Microsoft tools
Free hands-on training for Word, Excel, Teams and more. The training is free; Microsoft's own certification exams are paid.
Go to Microsoft Learn - Funding eligibility appliesSkills for Careers
Essential digital skills
Free digital skills courses in England if you are 19 or over and have low digital skills or little experience of computers.
Go to Skills for Careers
English, Maths & Languages
Everyday reading, writing and number skills, plus free language courses.
- Completely freeGOV.UK
Improve your English, maths and IT skills
If you are over 16 and have left school, you normally do not pay for English or maths up to GCSE level, for some IT courses, or for ESOL.
Go to GOV.UK - Funding eligibility appliesWEA
Fully funded English and maths courses
Free online English and maths courses from the Workers' Educational Association, fully funded for eligible learners.
Go to WEA - Funding eligibility appliesSkills for Careers
Essential Skills courses
Free English, numeracy and digital courses in England if you are 19 or over and do not already have GCSE grade 4 or equivalent.
Go to Skills for Careers - Completely freeOpenLearn
Free Open University courses
Free Open University courses across languages and communication, written by OU academics. No fees at all, and no certificate needed.
Go to OpenLearn
SEND, Autism & ADHD Awareness
Understand your child's needs better, or build knowledge for work.
- Completely freeOpenLearn (The Open University)
Understanding autism
A free eight-week Open University course on the autism spectrum, how it affects people and how to support them. A free digital badge is included.
Go to OpenLearn (The Open University) - Certificate costs extraFutureLearn
Understanding Autism
A short course from the University of Kent. You can join and study for free with limited access; a certificate needs a paid upgrade.
Go to FutureLearn - Certificate costs extraFutureLearn
Autism and Education
A four-week course on supporting children on the autism spectrum in education. Free to join with limited access; certificates are paid.
Go to FutureLearn - Certificate costs extraAlison
SEND and inclusion courses
Free to study, with courses on autism, ADHD, dyslexia and inclusive practice. Certificates and diplomas are optional and cost extra.
Go to Alison
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Look after your own wellbeing, and understand your child's mental health.
- Completely freeMindEd
MindEd e-learning
Free e-learning about children's, young people's and adults' mental health. There is a section written for families and carers, as well as for professionals.
Go to MindEd - Completely freeOpenLearn
Free Open University courses
Free Open University courses on mental health, wellbeing and supporting others, with no fees at all.
Go to OpenLearn - Certificate costs extraFutureLearn
Mental health and wellbeing courses
Short courses from universities and health organisations. Free to join with limited access; a certificate needs a paid upgrade.
Go to FutureLearn
Parenting & Caring
Courses about child development, family life and caring for someone.
- Completely freeOpenLearn
Free Open University courses
Free Open University courses on childhood, families and caring, written by OU academics. No fees and nothing to buy.
Go to OpenLearn - Certificate costs extraFutureLearn
Parenting and child development courses
Short courses from universities and charities. Free to join with limited access; a certificate needs a paid upgrade.
Go to FutureLearn - Certificate costs extraAlison
Parenting and caring courses
Free to study, with courses on parenting, child development and caring for others. Certificates are optional and cost extra.
Go to Alison
Employment, CVs & Careers
Free careers advice, CV help and course searches across the UK.
- Completely freeNational Careers Service
Course finder and careers advice
Free government careers advice and a course finder. Free to use, and you can filter the search to show only free courses.
Go to National Careers Service - Completely freeSkills for Careers
Skills for Life
The government's skills service for adults in England: training options, careers advice and help with the cost of learning.
Go to Skills for Careers - Completely freeMy World of Work
Course search and careers advice
Free careers advice and a course search for Scotland, from Skills Development Scotland, the national skills body.
Go to My World of Work - Completely freeCareers Wales
Course Search
Free search for courses across Wales, including courses you can filter as eligible for Personal Learning Account funding.
Go to Careers Wales
Business, Digital Marketing & Finance
Marketing, business skills and money confidence, at no cost to you.
- Completely freeGoogle
Skillshop
Free training and free certifications in digital marketing, Google Ads and analytics, at your own pace.
Go to Google - Completely freeOpenLearn
Free Open University courses
Free Open University courses in business, management and finance, written by OU academics.
Go to OpenLearn - Completely freeMoneyHelper
Free money guidance
Free, impartial money and pensions guidance from the government-backed Money and Pensions Service.
Go to MoneyHelper - Certificate costs extraAlison
Business and finance courses
Free to study, with courses on business, marketing and finance. Certificates and diplomas are optional and cost extra.
Go to Alison
Arts, Crafts & Creative Skills
Creative courses for your own enjoyment, or to build a new skill.
- Completely freeOpenLearn
Free Open University courses
Free Open University courses across the arts, design and creative subjects, with no fees at all.
Go to OpenLearn - Funding eligibility appliesWEA
Courses for adults
Courses across creative subjects and more, in person and online. Many are free or reduced if you are on a low income or receive certain benefits.
Go to WEA - Certificate costs extraAlison
Creative and craft courses
Free to study, with courses on drawing, design, photography and crafts. Certificates are optional and cost extra.
Go to Alison
Everyday Life Skills
Confidence with money, paperwork, devices and daily life.
- Completely freeLearn My Way
Free digital skills courses
Free courses on using the internet for everyday things, including managing money online, filling in forms and keeping in touch.
Go to Learn My Way - Completely freeMoneyHelper
Free money guidance
Free, impartial guidance on budgeting, bills, benefits and pensions, from the government-backed Money and Pensions Service.
Go to MoneyHelper - Completely freeOpenLearn
Free Open University courses
Free Open University courses on everyday skills, including managing your money and study skills.
Go to OpenLearn
Safeguarding & First Aid
Free first aid learning and online safety guidance for parents and carers.
- Completely freeBritish Red Cross
First aid for babies and children
Free online learning you can do at your own pace, at any time, covering what to do in an emergency with a baby or child.
Go to British Red Cross - Completely freeBritish Red Cross
Learn first aid
Free first aid resources, workshops and self-directed learning, in a way that suits you.
Go to British Red Cross - Completely freeSt John Ambulance
Free first aid advice
Free online first aid advice and downloadable resources. Their free in-person awareness sessions are for schools and community groups, not individuals.
Go to St John Ambulance - Completely freeSt John Ambulance Cymru
Free first aid eLearning
Free online first aid courses in Wales, in English or Welsh, with a downloadable certificate on completion.
Go to St John Ambulance Cymru - Completely freeNSPCC
Free online safety workshops
Free virtual workshops for parents and carers on how to support your child in their online world.
Go to NSPCC
Other Free Learning Opportunities
Funded qualifications, short career courses and free certificates.
- Funding eligibility appliesSkills for Careers
Free courses for jobs
Free qualifications for eligible adults in England, including a first full Level 3 qualification. Courses run from a few weeks to a year, online or in person.
Go to Skills for Careers - Funding eligibility appliesSkills for Careers
Skills Bootcamps
Short, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks for adults aged 19 or over in England, in digital, technical, green and care skills. Funding depends on where you live.
Go to Skills for Careers - Completely freeOpenLearn (The Open University)
Badged courses
Free Open University courses with a formal assessment. Pass and you earn a verified digital badge you can share or add to your CV, at no cost.
Go to OpenLearn (The Open University) - Certificate costs extraAlison
Free online courses
Thousands of courses you can study for free, at your own pace. Certificates and diplomas are optional, and they cost extra.
Go to Alison - Certificate costs extraFutureLearn
Free online courses
Short courses from universities and organisations. Free to join with limited access; a certificate needs a paid upgrade.
Go to FutureLearn
Funding and eligibility, by nation
Free learning is funded differently in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
England
- Essential Skills courses in English, maths and digital skills are free if you are 19 or over and do not already have GCSE grade 4 or equivalent.
- Free courses for jobs can cover a first full Level 3 qualification for eligible adults.
- Skills Bootcamps are short courses of up to 16 weeks for adults aged 19 or over. Whether they are free depends on where you live.
Scotland
- Scotland does not use the same named programmes as England. Free places and funding are arranged through colleges and Skills Development Scotland.
- My World of Work, from Skills Development Scotland, is the national careers service. It lists courses and training, and it is free to use.
- Your local college, or a free careers adviser, can tell you what is funded for your own circumstances.
Wales
- A Personal Learning Account can fully fund flexible, part-time courses for eligible people. You must live in Wales, be 19 or over, and be employed, self-employed or a full-time carer.
- There is a salary cap on most courses, though not on approved digital or green skills courses.
- Careers Wales offers free careers advice and a course search that shows which courses are eligible for Personal Learning Account funding.
Northern Ireland
- Essential Skills courses in English, maths and IT are free. You can do them at a college, at work or with a community organisation.
- Classes are usually small, and they are designed for adults returning to learning.
- nidirect lists free learning options and the Skills to succeed campaign.
If you receive Universal Credit or other benefits
- You may be able to study part-time and keep your Universal Credit, as long as you are still available for work. Tell your work coach before you enrol.
- Studying full-time usually means you cannot claim Universal Credit, although there are some exceptions.
- There is a 12-hour rule. If your course involves more than 12 hours a week of non-advanced education, part-time study normally only counts from 1 September after your 19th birthday.
- Help may be available with course fees, books, travel and childcare. The government's money and learning costs page explains what you can ask for.
Funding eligibility always depends on your own circumstances and on the requirements of the course you choose. SENDBridge cannot decide this for you, so please check with the course provider or a careers adviser before you rely on a course being free.
Looking for more?
Create a free account to join the SENDBridge community, keep track of courses in My Organiser and hear about new opportunities.