Manchester Adult Education Service is one of the largest local authority adult learning providers in Greater Manchester. With an average of 15,000 enrolments and over 500 different courses offered in weekly, day or evening sessions at over 40 locations, they boast a venue for learning within 2km of every adult Manchester resident.
Mainly as a ‘first steps’ provider, they offer pre-entry and entry-level courses for those learners whose starting point is at a basic level. However, the full spectrum of courses covers anything from basic level through to higher-level qualifications, which includes a well-established Access to University course; this is offered at three key locations spread across the city. They also run a very wide range of non-vocational courses.
Manchester Adult Education Service offers the following areas of study:
- Access to University
- Art, Craft and Design
- Childcare and Teaching Assistants
- Computer Courses
- Counselling
- Creative Writing and literature
- Deaf Studies and British Sign Language
- English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
- English GCSE and equivalent
- Family learning
- Fashion and Textiles
- First Steps Courses
- Health, Food and Fitness
- Health and Social Care
- Humanities and Social Studies
- Maths GCSE and equivalent
- Modern Foreign Languages
- Music and Drama
- Personal Development
- Personal Finance and Bookkeeping
- Video Production
For those learners on low incomes or in receipt of benefits, many courses are free and a learner support fund is operated to make learning materials, travel and childcare available at no cost.
To find out more about our courses, visit
www.manchester.gov.uk/adulteducation or call us free on 0800 083 21 21
What's on offer
This year we have introduced lots of new and exciting courses that reflect what Manchester residents have asked us for.
First Steps programmes are designed to help you learn more about your chosen career path and get a workrelated qualification. You will learn how to study, gain confidence, develop writing skills and you may be offered the opportunity of a voluntary work placement. Your First Steps course will include study support sessions, a personal tutor to guide you through your programme, and a choice of enrichment courses.
Classes to Clubs (C2C) is a great idea that many of our art and design and modern foreign language learners have been requesting in recent years. If your class is a C2C class, you will receive additional training and support in how to set up your own group in the future. There will be lots of support available at the end of your course that will help to ensure you can continue to learn at your own pace and in a way that suits you and your fellow learners.
We are working much more closely with other Council services, such as the libraries and galleries, as well as many other key partners across the city. You may be able to use these facilities to support your studies.
