Archive Website of the UK government

Further education and your prospects

Whether you're 16 or 60, there's a huge variety of courses available. Options range from courses covering the basics of reading, writing and numbers to GCSEs and A levels. There are also opportunities to get into work-based learning, through NVQs and apprenticeships.

Having an impairment or a learning difficulty does not have to limit your options. You will need to take care choosing the course and institution that are right for you.

• Qualifications explained

Support at college or sixth form

Colleges and sixth forms have to make 'reasonable adjustments' so that disabled people don't suffer a substantial disadvantage. They might, for example, provide one-to-one support, a sign language interpreter or copies of documents in other formats.

They may also be able to offer assistance during assessments or exams, so that all learners are assessed fairly. If you’re likely to need this help, speak to a member of staff at the start of your course.

The type of support available varies, so it's important to check beforehand. It's a good idea to visit the place so you can see what's available for yourself. The college's Learning Support Adviser or Special Education Needs Co-ordinator will be able to give you details.

You can also get a copy of the college or school's Disability Equality Statement. This sets out how it plans to promote equal opportunities for disabled people. You may need support that does not get covered in the Disability Statement. However, the college may be able to provide it, so you need to ask.

• Learning and your rights

Going to a specialist college

If your local college can't offer a course to suit your disability-related needs, you may be able to get a place at a specialist college. Most of these colleges are independent and cater specifically for students with disabilities or learning difficulties. They are often residential.

Contact the Careers Helpline for Young People if you think this might be an option for you.

You will need to get financial support from the Young People's Learning Agency, based on an assessment of your needs. The assessment is carried out by the Connexions service. You can also get advice about the application process from the service.

• Careers Helpline for Young People

Getting into further education at 16

Making the transition from school to further education

If you had a statement of special educational needs while at school, you should have a 'transition plan' giving details of the support you'll need once you leave. If you stay on at school to attend sixth form, you'll continue to get the help set out in your statement.

Your sixth form or college should pay for your learning support. Personal or medical care services will be arranged through your local health authority or social services department.

Your careers adviser should work with these different agencies to make sure arrangements are in place.

• Your Transition Plan - preparing for the future

Advice on your options after 16

The Careers Helpline for Young People provides advice on learning, careers and more. If you are disabled or have a learning difficulty, you can get support up to the age of 25.

• telephone: 0800 100 900
• text phone: 08000 968 336

You can also get in touch via email or text message.

• Careers Helpline for Young People

• It’s your choice: options after 16 (general education and learning section)

Getting into further education as an adult

See 'Your skills, your future' for guidance on getting into further education - whether you're looking to catch up on something you missed out on at school, or prepare for a higher education course.

• Your skills, your future (education and learning section)

Learning from home

e-learning and distance learning courses let you do all or part of your studying from home. It's an option worth considering if you have a disability that makes it difficult to get to college.

• e-learning (education and learning section)

Residential training for disabled adults

If you're unemployed, have the potential to take up work and there's no suitable training available locally, you may be able to get on a residential training scheme.

There are over 50 vocational courses on offer, and you'll get an allowance to help with your costs.

• Residential training for disabled adults

Advice on adult learning courses

The National Careers Service offers free careers and skills advice. Help is available online, over the phone or face-to-face.

You can also book a free call back from an adviser through the National Careers Service website, or send a question by email.

• National Careers Service: 0800 100 900
  

• Find careers, learning and skills advice (education and learning section)

• National Careers Service: get skills and careers advice Opens new window

Claiming benefits while you're in further education

Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance could provide financial help if you need personal care or have walking difficulties because of a disability.

Starting a course won't affect your entitlement.

• Disability Living Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance

If you have a disability and you're on a low income, you may also be able to claim income-related Employment and Support Allowance while you're studying.

• Employment and Support Allowance

Incapacity Benefit

Incapacity Benefit is a weekly payment for people who can't work due to illness or disability. It has been replaced with Employment and Support Allowance for new claimants.

If you're currently getting Incapacity Benefit, you may be able to carry on claiming it while doing a course.

Income Support

If you have a disability and you're on a low income, you may also be able to claim Income Support while you're studying.

• Income Support (money, tax and benefits section)

• Premiums for disabled people

More about claiming benefits while you're studying

Directgov has information on other benefits you may be able to claim if you're a disabled student on a low income - such as Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

• On a low income (money, tax and benefits section)

Useful contacts

• Education and learning contacts for disabled people

• Student finance contacts

• Accessible technology contacts