Online learning
that changes careers.
150+ accredited online qualifications across 14 faculties. Tutor support included. Funded degree pathways available. Study around your work, family, and life.
Explore Our Courses
From Access to HE diplomas to Higher Technical Qualifications. Find the right course for your career.
24 coursesBusiness & Professional
CIPD-accredited HR and People Management qualifications at Level 3 and Level 5, plus CMI, AAT and CIM business credentials.
Online Degree Pathways
Pearson BTEC Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications (HTQs). Government-approved, employer-designed, fully funded through Student Finance England.
6 coursesAccounting & Finance
AAT Foundation, Advanced and Professional Diplomas in Accounting and Bookkeeping. The practical route into the accounting profession.
38 coursesTeaching, Childcare & Care
NCFE CACHE-accredited qualifications for early years educators, teaching assistants, dental nurses, and health & social care professionals.
26 coursesA-Levels & GCSEs
AQA-style A-Levels and GCSEs studied entirely online at your own pace. Sit your exams at any AQA-approved centre nationwide.
20 coursesAccess to Higher Education
Access to HE Diplomas validated by Skills & Education Group, a QAA-recognised Access Validating Agency. Recognised by UK universities, including Russell Group.
24 coursesBusiness & Professional
CIPD-accredited HR and People Management qualifications at Level 3 and Level 5, plus CMI, AAT and CIM business credentials.
Online Degree Pathways
Pearson BTEC Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications (HTQs). Government-approved, employer-designed, fully funded through Student Finance England.
6 coursesAccounting & Finance
AAT Foundation, Advanced and Professional Diplomas in Accounting and Bookkeeping. The practical route into the accounting profession.
38 coursesTeaching, Childcare & Care
NCFE CACHE-accredited qualifications for early years educators, teaching assistants, dental nurses, and health & social care professionals.
26 coursesA-Levels & GCSEs
AQA-style A-Levels and GCSEs studied entirely online at your own pace. Sit your exams at any AQA-approved centre nationwide.
20 coursesAccess to Higher Education
Access to HE Diplomas validated by Skills & Education Group, a QAA-recognised Access Validating Agency. Recognised by UK universities, including Russell Group.
Preparing you for the next step
Six reasons our learners choose us and stay with us.
01
Student Finance funding
Our Higher Technical Qualification courses are fully funded through Student Finance England. You pay nothing upfront. Repayments only begin once you earn above the threshold.
02
Employer-recognised qualifications
Every course leads to a nationally accredited qualification. Pearson BTECs, CMI, TQUK, Skills & Education Group, and AQA credentials are recognised by employers and universities across the UK.
03
Degree pathway
Our Access to HE diplomas and HTQ qualifications are accepted by UK universities, including Russell Group institutions, as direct entry to the second year of a degree.
04
AI-powered study support
Ask a question at midnight and get a clear answer in seconds. Our intelligent study assistant explains concepts, checks your understanding, and gives instant feedback — 24/7.
05
True flexibility
No set lecture times. No mandatory schedules. Study on your phone, tablet, or laptop. Your progress syncs across every device so you pick up exactly where you left off.
06
18 years of trust
Part of the learndirect group, with 4.5 million learners trained since 2007. Over 25,000 five-star Trustpilot reviews. 93% learner satisfaction.
01
Student Finance funding
Our Higher Technical Qualification courses are fully funded through Student Finance England. You pay nothing upfront. Repayments only begin once you earn above the threshold.
02
Employer-recognised qualifications
Every course leads to a nationally accredited qualification. Pearson BTECs, CMI, TQUK, Skills & Education Group, and AQA credentials are recognised by employers and universities across the UK.
03
Degree pathway
Our Access to HE diplomas and HTQ qualifications are accepted by UK universities, including Russell Group institutions, as direct entry to the second year of a degree.
04
AI-powered study support
Ask a question at midnight and get a clear answer in seconds. Our intelligent study assistant explains concepts, checks your understanding, and gives instant feedback — 24/7.
05
True flexibility
No set lecture times. No mandatory schedules. Study on your phone, tablet, or laptop. Your progress syncs across every device so you pick up exactly where you left off.
06
18 years of trust
Part of the learndirect group, with 4.5 million learners trained since 2007. Over 25,000 five-star Trustpilot reviews. 93% learner satisfaction.
Featured Courses
Our 10 most popular courses. Scroll to explore.
Access to HE Diploma (Nursing)
Prepare for a nursing degree with this Access to HE Diploma covering biology, psychology, and health studies.
View Course →Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)
A comprehensive Level 3 qualification covering care planning, safeguarding, and person-centred practice.
View Course →Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate
Earn a Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate fully online, building the skills to work in regulated care settings.
View Course →Functional Skills English & Maths Level 2
Study both English and maths together in one combined programme.
View Course →Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Adult Care (RQF)
A senior leadership qualification for managers and aspiring managers in adult social care settings.
View Course →Access to HE Diploma (Paramedic Science)
Build the scientific foundation needed for a paramedic science degree.
View Course →Access to HE Diploma (Veterinary Science)
Progress to veterinary nursing or animal science degrees with biology, animal physiology and clinical practice content.
View Course →NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator (RQF)
Qualify as an Early Years Educator with this nationally recognised NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma.
View Course →Access to HE Diploma (Midwifery)
Gain the knowledge needed to progress onto a midwifery degree, covering anatomy, physiology, and health science.
View Course →Level 4 Diploma for the Foot Health Care Practitioner
Train as a Foot Health Care Practitioner with this Ofqual-regulated Level 4 Diploma covering anatomy, common conditions, and clinical practice.
View Course →How It Works
From browsing to qualified. Here is exactly what to expect.
Browse & Choose
Browse our range of accredited qualifications and find the right fit for your career goals. All study materials are included — no textbooks to buy.
Enrol in Minutes
Enrol online in minutes. Choose a payment option that works for you — flexible monthly plans with no lock-in contracts and no exit fees. Pause or cancel anytime.
Study with Real Support
Study anytime, on any device. Instant answers from our AI study assistant, 24/7. Your named, qualified tutor responds within one business day.
Qualify & Progress
Graduate with a nationally recognised qualification accepted by employers and universities across the UK. Assessment fees and your certificate are included.
Real stories from real learners
Over 25,000 five-star reviews. Here are a few of the people behind them.
★★★★★
“I never thought I could study for a qualification while working full-time. learndirect made it possible, and now I'm on track for a degree.”
Sarah M.
Leadership & Management, Level 5
★★★★★
“The Access to HE course gave me the confidence to apply for a nursing degree. The tutors were brilliant and the online format meant I could study around my children.”
Priya K.
Access to HE — Nursing
★★★★★
“Going back to education at 34 felt daunting, but the flexibility of studying online made all the difference. I graduated with a distinction.”
James T.
Access to HE — Criminology
★★★★★
“I never thought I could study for a qualification while working full-time. learndirect made it possible, and now I'm on track for a degree.”
Sarah M.
Leadership & Management, Level 5
★★★★★
“The Access to HE course gave me the confidence to apply for a nursing degree. The tutors were brilliant and the online format meant I could study around my children.”
Priya K.
Access to HE — Nursing
★★★★★
“Going back to education at 34 felt daunting, but the flexibility of studying online made all the difference. I graduated with a distinction.”
James T.
Access to HE — Criminology
Qualifications you can trust
Every course leads to a credential recognised by employers, universities, and professional bodies across the UK.
Pearson BTEC: the world's most recognised vocational credential
Pearson is the world's largest education company and the awarding body behind BTEC, the most widely recognised vocational qualification brand in the UK. Our Higher Technical Qualifications are Pearson BTEC Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications, approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and funded through Student Finance England.
Explore Pearson HTQ CoursesCareer Guides
Explore career paths, salary expectations, and how to get qualified. All guides based on real UK data.
How to Become a Paralegal in the UK: Careers in Law Without a Law Degree (2025 Guide)
You do not need a law degree to build a legal career in the UK. Discover how to become a paralegal with a Level 3 Diploma, use the CILEx route to chartered legal executive status, what paralegals earn at each level, and which areas of law offer the best opportunities for new entrants.
How to Become a Cyber Security Analyst in the UK: Complete 2025 Career Guide
Cyber security is one of the UK's most understaffed and best-paid professions. Discover how to enter as a SOC analyst with CompTIA Security+, how the Cyber Security HTQ accelerates your path, what roles pay at each level, and how to progress to senior analyst, pen tester, or CISO.
How to Become a TEFL Teacher in the UK: Teach English Abroad and Online (2025 Guide)
A 120-hour TEFL certificate is all you need to teach English online or abroad. Discover which destinations pay most, how to earn $10–$40/hour on online platforms, whether you need a degree, and how to qualify in as little as four weeks with learndirect Pathways.
How to Become a Quantity Surveyor in the UK: Complete 2025 Career Guide
Quantity surveying offers some of the highest salaries in UK construction, with MRICS chartered status unlocking £60,000–£100,000+ roles. Discover the routes in – from RICS-accredited degree to APC – how long it takes, what the major firms pay, and how to study online while working.
How to Become a Veterinary Physiotherapist in the UK: Complete 2025 Career Guide
Veterinary physiotherapy is a growing animal care career that does not require a veterinary degree. Discover how to qualify with the Level 6 Diploma, register with RAMP or IRVAP, what you can earn as a self-employed equine or canine physiotherapist, and the step-by-step route to get there.
How to Become a Dental Nurse in the UK: Complete 2025 Career Guide
Dental nursing is one of the most accessible routes into a regulated healthcare career – no degree required. Find out how to qualify with the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma, register with the GDC, what you can earn in NHS and private practice, and how to progress your career.
How to Become a Personal Trainer in the UK: Complete 2025 Career Guide
Personal training is one of the fastest routes to self-employment in the UK. Discover how to qualify as a personal trainer with a Level 3 Diploma, what you can earn, how to register with CIMSPA, and how to build a client base – whether in a gym or online.
Functional Skills Level 2: The GCSE Equivalent Route for Adults (2025 Guide)
Don't have a GCSE in Maths or English? Functional Skills Level 2 is the faster, cheaper, GCSE-equivalent route accepted by the NHS, universities, apprenticeship providers, and most UK employers. This guide explains what it is, who accepts it, how long it takes, and how to get started.
How to Resit GCSEs and A-Levels as an Adult in the UK (2025 Guide)
Left school without the grades you needed? Find out how adults across the UK resit GCSEs and A-levels online – covering awarding bodies, exam centres, costs, timelines, and step-by-step guidance to help you achieve the qualifications employers and universities require.
Early Years & Childcare Careers: Your Complete Guide
England's early years sector employs 353,700 paid staff across 53,600 providers -- and the government's 30-hours childcare expansion means an estimated 35,000 additional workers are needed. This guide covers every role, qualification pathway, and salary figure you need to plan your career.
Computing & Technology Careers in the UK: Your Complete Guide
The UK tech sector employs over 2.17 million people and is projected to grow faster than any other part of the economy to 2034. From software development to cybersecurity, cloud engineering to IT management, tech careers offer some of the strongest salaries and career progression available without a traditional degree.
Business Management & Leadership Careers in the UK: Your Complete Guide
There are 8.4 million managers in the UK workforce and the country needs more than 120,000 additional managers by 2030. Management and leadership qualifications – particularly CMI credentials – can add an average of £13,000 per year to your salary and open doors across every sector of the economy.
Criminology & Criminal Justice Careers in the UK: Your Complete Guide
Criminology qualifications open doors across policing, probation, prison service, research, and the charity sector. Police Constables start at £31,164; qualified Probation Officers earn £35,130+; Crime Analysts average £38,483.
Psychology Careers in the UK: Your Complete Guide
Psychology is one of the UK's most in-demand professions: NHS mental health referrals reached 5.2 million in 2024, up 37.9% since 2019. Newly qualified Clinical Psychologists earn £46,148 (Band 7); senior Occupational Psychologists can reach £100,000+. Here is everything you need to plan your route.
NHS Healthcare Support Careers: Your Complete Guide
NHS healthcare support workers earn £24,169-£36,483 (Band 2-5) under 2024/25 Agenda for Change pay scales. The NHS employs around 299,000 FTE clinical support staff in England. The HTQ is the recognised Band 4 progression route.
Social Work Careers in the UK: Your Complete Guide
There are 103,387 registered social workers in England (Social Work England, 2025). Children's services have a 17% vacancy rate with a median salary of £47,200; adults social work vacancy rate is 7.8%. The Access to HE Diploma is the recognised entry route for adult learners without A-levels.
Midwifery Careers in the UK: Your Complete Guide
There are 31,024 NHS midwives in England as of 2026 -- a record high -- yet a chronic shortfall of around 2,500 full-time midwives persists and 1 in 3 newly qualified midwives cannot find a permanent post. This guide covers every entry route, NHS pay band, and what midwifery work really involves.
How to Become a Teaching Assistant: Complete Guide
Teaching assistants (TAs) play a vital role in UK schools, supporting teachers and helping children learn, develop, and thrive. It's a career that offers genuine job satisfaction, school-friendly working hours, and a clear pathway into broader education roles. If you're thinking about working with children and want to make a...
How to Become a Nurse in the UK: Complete 2026 Guide
Nursing is one of the most rewarding and in-demand careers in the UK. The NHS alone employs over 350,000 registered nurses, and the demand for qualified nurses continues to grow. If you've been thinking about a career in nursing but aren't sure where to start — especially if you don't...
Careers in Health & Social Care: Your Complete Guide
Health and social care is one of the UK's largest and fastest-growing employment sectors. With around 1.5 million people working in adult social care in England alone — and demand rising every year as the population ages — it offers strong job security, meaningful work, and genuine career progression for...
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Everything you need to know about Student Finance eligibility, how to apply, what qualifications you can study, and how online learning actually works.
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