Course Applications

Applying for a course

Are you looking to improve your existing skills, develop your confidence, gain qualifications or learn something completely new? Whatever your reason for choosing an adult education course, find out how you can shape your future with the learning opportunities available here at Manchester Adult Education.

What’s available at a centre near me?

To make searching for a course as easy as possible, we have published a list of our courses for 2024/25 so you can easily see what courses are available, their location, start date and duration as well as any course specific entry requirements.

View our 2024/25 course programme

Our application process

Once you have found a course that you would like to join, applying couldn’t be easier.

We hold weekly assessment and enrolment sessions at two of our largest centres – Abraham Moss Adult Learning Centre in Crumpsall and Greenheys Adult Learning Centre in Moss Side.

Follow the below steps to get booked in and secure your place on a course.*

  • Step 1: Select a centre from the two options available. We’d like to point out that the centre that you book an assessment and enrolment appointment for isn't necessarily the centre you will study at.
  • Step 2: Create an account using your email address and password. If you’re an existing MAES learner, you can log in using your username and password. Follow the Forgot Password link if you have forgotten these details.
  • Step 3: Complete the enquiry form with your contact information and details of the subject you wish to study. It’s essential that you provide us with a valid email address so that we can contact you regarding any important updates.
  • Step 4: Book an appointment from the list of dates provided. At your appointment, you’ll meet with a tutor who will carry out a small assessment to make sure that you join a course at a level that’s suitable. If successful, they will then place you on a course and provide you with the course details including centre of study.

*Some of our courses have an alternative application process, please see below.

Abraham Moss Adult Learning Centre, Crumpsall
External image of Greenheys Centre in orange circle
Greenheys Adult Learning Centre, Moss Side

Interested in one of the below courses?

Although most of our courses can be applied for using the above steps, there are a few courses which you need to apply for using the websites/enquiry forms linked below.

Help with your application

If you need help setting up an account or booking an appointment, call one of the centres on the contact numbers listed below and our business support team will be able to help you.

  • Abraham Moss Adult Learning Centre – 0161 219 6735
  • Forum Learning Centre – 0161 935 4080
  • Gorton Hub – 0161 227 3711
  • Greenheys Adult Learning Centre – 0161 254 7314
  • Longsight Library and Learning Centre – 0161 227 3711
  • Newton Heath Library – 0161 234 5073
  • The Avenue Library and Learning Centre – 0161 234 5073
  • Withington Adult Learning Centre – 0161 234 5687

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you’ll find some answers to some frequently asked questions about applying and enrolling on to one of our courses. 

If you’re struggling to create an account on our website we may be able to help do this on your behalf.

Our Business Support team can be contacted by phone on the numbers listed below or via email at maes.info@manchester.gov.uk.

  1. Abraham Moss Adult Learning Centre – 0161 219 6735
  2. Forum Learning Centre – 0161 935 4080
  3. Gorton Hub – 0161 227 3711
  4. Greenheys Adult Learning Centre – 0161 254 7314
  5. Longsight Library and Learning Centre – 0161 227 3711
  6. Newton Heath Library – 0161 234 5073
  7. The Avenue Library and Learning Centre – 0161 234 5073
  8. Withington Adult Learning Centre – 0161 234 5687

Yes – we advise you to book an appointment to ensure that there’s a tutor available on the day.

At your appointment, you’ll meet a tutor from the subject area that you wish to study. They’ll carry out a small initial assessment to make sure that you join a course at a suitable level for you. Once you have completed your assessment and our tutors have been able to check your eligibility, they will enrol you on to a course and provide you with the course details.

Appointments generally take around one hour per subject area. So, if for example, you wish to join more than one course i.e. Functional Skills English and Digital Skills for Beginners, this appointment could take up to two hours.

Great news! Many of our learners study more than one subject, however at the time of applying we would advise you to book an appointment slot for your first choice course. If you’re offered a place, we can then check your timetable to see whether your second choice course works alongside this. You may have to complete another initial assessment for this course on the day or at a later date.

When attending a pre-booked appointment at an Manchester Adult Education Adult Learning Centre, you will need to bring the following eligibility documents with you:

  • Photo ID.
  • Proof of your address.
  • Proof of UK residency (if you’ve lived in the UK for less than three years).
  • Your National Insurance number.
  • Proof of any benefits you receive.
  • Certificates for any qualifications you hold i.e. English or maths. 

You will receive email confirmation and reminders of your appointment. If you’re unable to attend, we ask that you let us know as soon as possible. You can contact our business support team on the numbers listed below who can help with rescheduling or managing your appointment. 

  1. Abraham Moss Adult Learning Centre – 0161 219 6735
  2. Forum Learning Centre – 0161 935 4080
  3. Gorton Hub – 0161 227 3711
  4. Greenheys Adult Learning Centre – 0161 254 7314
  5. Longsight Library and Learning Centre – 0161 227 3711
  6. Newton Heath Library – 0161 234 5073
  7. The Avenue Library and Learning Centre – 0161 234 5073
  8. Withington Adult Learning Centre – 0161 234 5687

If we can’t place you because your chosen course is full, you will be put on a waiting list and contacted by our team as soon as a place becomes available. Alternatively, we will advise you of any future start dates that may be applicable to the course you wish to take and contact you once the start date is near. 

If you’re unable to join a course due to ineligibility, we’re unfortunately unable to rectify this, but we would encourage you to re-apply in the future if your circumstances change.

The majority of our courses are free, but if you are required to pay for your course you will have to do this by visiting one of our adult learning centres to make payment. 

Payment can be made in full or in instalments and you can discuss this with our team at your enrolment. 

Payment can be made via Mastercard or Visa debit/credit card. 

You may also be able to get financial support for your course. Please check out the details on our fees and funding web page for more information.