Eligibility Criteria for FREE Distance Learning courses 

IMPORTANT:

Since August 2019, funding decisions for education have become devolved to local government in several counties of England. This transfer of funding from central government to combined authorities has created fundamental changes to areas that we as an education and training provider can operate in.

We regret that we are no longer able to provide Level 2 and Level 3 courses for free, to the following combined authority areas: West of England Combined Authority (WECA), Greater Manchester, Liverpool City, Cambridge & Peterborough, Tees Valley, West Midlands & North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA), Greater London Authority (GLA), West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority.

If you are unsure if your post code falls into one of the combined authorities, please email distancelearningteam@btc.ac.uk and we’ll be able to help you.

Eligibility for Level 2 Distance Learning courses:

• Learners must be aged 19 years or over as of the current academic year.
• Must have lived in the EEA for the last three years
• Must currently reside in England, in a postal code outside of West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Greater Manchester, Liverpool City, Cambridge & Peterborough, Tees Valley  the West Midlands, North of Tyne, Greater London, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority.
• If aged 19-23, must hold a full Level 2 qualification or above in any subject (i.e QCF Diploma Level 2, five GCSEs/O Levels grade A-C, two or three. AS Levels, CSE grade 1 5 or more, one A Level, QCF Certificate, GNVQ Intermediate, First Certificate or Principle of Learning Level 2).
• If aged 24+ no qualifications are required.

Eligibility for FREE Level 3 Distance Learning courses:

• Learners must be aged 19 and over as of the current academic year. 
• Currently must not already hold a FULL Level 3 qualification (i.e. AS and A levels, Access to Higher Education diploma, advanced apprenticeship, International Baccalaureate, NVQs, BTEC diplomas, certificates and awards, BTEC Nationals, OCR Nationals, Music grades 6 to 8.
• Confirmation that you have not previously achieved a full level 3 qualification or above in any subject, and that we can check this information against the National Learner Record Service on your behalf.
• If you already hold a FULL level 3 qualification or higher, but your gross annual salary is at or below £20,319 per annum (the current National Living Wage threshold), you could still be eligible.  You will need to confirm your financial status and provide evidence of 3 recent payslips, dated in the last 3 months.  If you are currently not in employment, you will need to provide a benefit statement from the relevant office.
• Must currently reside in England, in a postal code outside of West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Greater Manchester, Liverpool City, Cambridge & Peterborough, Tees Valley  the West Midlands, North of Tyne, Greater London, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority.
• Must have lived in the EEA for the last three years.
• Finance options are available if the level 3 eligibility is not met. Speak to our team to find out more. Email: distancelearningteam@btc.ac.uk or call 01823 366612.