Earn a Pearson BTEC Higher National, 100% online, with nothing to pay upfront. Fully funded through Student Finance England.
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Sarah M.
Leadership & Management, Class of 2025
Sarah started her Pearson BTEC Higher National with zero upfront costs. Eighteen months later, she had been promoted twice. She studied evenings and weekends around her shifts, entirely online.
100% online · Study around your life · ★★★★★ Rated 4.5/5 on Trustpilot
From Access to HE diplomas to Higher Technical Qualifications. Find the right course for your career.
Pearson BTEC Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications (HTQs). Government-approved, employer-designed, fully funded through Student Finance England.
13 coursesAccess to Higher Education diplomas accredited by OCNL. Designed for adults without A-levels who want to progress to university. Accepted by Russell Group institutions.
2 coursesTQUK-accredited qualifications for healthcare and social care roles. Build the skills and credentials employers demand across the NHS and care sector.
4 coursesTQUK-accredited qualifications for teaching assistants, early years practitioners, and childcare professionals.
2 coursesCMI-recognised management and leadership qualifications at Level 3 and Level 5, designed for professionals stepping into or advancing management roles.
3 coursesTQUK-accredited English and Maths Functional Skills at Levels 1 and 2. Complete in as little as 6 weeks.
4 coursesAQA-accredited A-Levels and GCSEs studied entirely online at your own pace. Ideal for adult learners alongside work or family commitments.
Six reasons our learners choose us and stay with us.
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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.
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Every course leads to a nationally accredited qualification. Pearson BTECs, CMI, TQUK, OCNL, and AQA credentials are recognised by employers and universities across the UK.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Part of the learndirect group, with 4.5 million learners trained since 2007. Over 25,000 five-star Trustpilot reviews. 93% learner satisfaction.
Handpicked from across our 7 faculties. Scroll to explore.
An employer-designed Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) delivering a Pearson BTEC Level 4 and Level 5 in Leadership and Management — fully funded through Student Finance with nothing to pay upfront.
View Course →A government-funded Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) delivering Pearson BTEC Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications in Digital Technologies — online, with no upfront fees through Student Finance.
View Course →Transform Your Career with Industry Leading Certifications — a government-approved Higher Technical Qualification delivering Level 4 and Level 5 in Computing, fully funded through Student Finance.
View Course →The professional teaching qualification for the further education and skills sector — gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status.
View Course →The accredited online qualification that prepares you for a rewarding career supporting children's learning in schools.
View Course →The senior-level CMI qualification for directors and senior leaders — develop strategic thinking, governance, and organisational leadership skills.
View Course →The CMI-accredited management qualification for aspiring and practising middle managers — develop strategic leadership skills recognised by employers.
View Course →Advance your teaching assistant career with the Level 4 HLTA qualification — take on more responsibility and lead whole-class learning.
View Course →Study GCSE Maths online at your own pace — comprehensive preparation for the official exam, taken at an approved centre near you.
View Course →Study GCSE English Language online — prepare for your exam at your own pace with instant study support and expert tutor guidance.
View Course →The GCSE-equivalent Maths qualification — achieve your Level 2 faster and unlock career, education, and apprenticeship opportunities.
View Course →Get both essential qualifications in one course — Functional Skills English and Maths at Level 2, equivalent to GCSE grade 4/C. Includes exams.
View Course →The GCSE-equivalent English qualification — achieve your Level 2 faster and unlock career, education, and apprenticeship opportunities.
View Course →The accredited CACHE qualification that qualifies you to work with children from birth to five years — and count in staff-to-child ratios.
View Course →The leadership qualification required for Registered Manager roles — demonstrate your competence to lead adult care services to CQC standards.
View Course →The industry-standard qualification for care professionals — advance to senior care roles and demonstrate your competence to CQC standards.
View Course →The accredited online science pathway that prepares you for health science degrees — study at your pace with instant study support and expert tutor guidance.
View Course →The accredited online science pathway that prepares you for biomedical science degrees — study at your pace with instant study support and expert tutor guidance.
View Course →The accredited online course that qualifies you for a social work degree — study at your pace with instant study support and expert tutor guidance.
View Course →The accredited online course that qualifies you for a radiography degree — study at your pace with instant study support and expert tutor guidance.
View Course →The accredited online course that qualifies you for a psychology degree — study at your pace with instant study support and expert tutor guidance.
View Course →The accredited online course that qualifies you for a paramedic science degree — study at your pace with instant study support and expert tutor guidance.
View Course →The accredited online course that qualifies you for a nursing degree — study at your pace with instant study support and expert tutor guidance.
View Course →The accredited online course that qualifies you for a midwifery degree — study at your pace with instant study support and expert tutor guidance.
View Course →The accredited online diploma that opens the door to health science degrees — physiotherapy, paramedic science, occupational therapy and more.
View Course →The accredited online course that qualifies you for an engineering degree — study at your pace with instant study support and expert tutor guidance.
View Course →The accredited online course that qualifies you for an education or teaching degree — study at your pace with instant study support and expert tutor guidance.
View Course →The accredited online course that qualifies you for a criminology or criminal justice degree — study at your pace with instant study support and expert tutor guidance.
View Course →The accredited online course that qualifies you for a business degree — study at your pace with instant study support and expert tutor guidance.
View Course →Study A-Level Maths online at your own pace — comprehensive preparation for the official exam, taken at an approved centre near you.
View Course →Study A-Level Biology online at your own pace — comprehensive preparation for the official exam, taken at an approved centre near you.
View Course →From browsing to qualified. Here is exactly what to expect.
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 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 anytime, on any device. Instant answers from our AI study assistant, 24/7. Your named, qualified tutor responds within one business day.
Graduate with a nationally recognised qualification accepted by employers and universities across the UK. Assessment fees and your certificate are included.
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 Pathways 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
Every course leads to a credential recognised by employers, universities, and professional bodies across the UK.
Access to HEMultiple FacultiesManagement & LeadershipA-Levels & GCSEsPearson 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 CoursesExplore career paths, salary expectations, and how to get qualified. All guides based on real UK data.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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...
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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