Applying for a course
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.
Our courses in 2025/26
2025/26 Adult Course Guide
Our brand-new course guide for 2025/26 is coming soon! Packed with everything you need to plan your next step, the guide includes details on life at MAES including support, courses and what our learners think. Whether you’re just starting out or upskilling, it’s your essential tool for the year ahead.
What's new for 2025/26?
We’re excited to launch new courses for 2025/26. This includes our new subject area Business Skills and Enterprise as well as increasing our apprenticeship training programme pathways in leadership and management and business administration.
What can I study, where?
Explore our full range of courses for 2025/26 with our course listing. From functional skills across all centres, cybersecurity at Greenheys and counselling at Gorton Hub, there’s something for everyone. Check which courses are available at your nearest learning location.
September Enrolment
September marks the start of our new academic year and if you’re interested in joining a course, you will soon be able to book in for you assessment and enrolment appointment.
Our schedule for September can be found below. Appointments will be live on our website to book week commencing 28 July.
| Date | Time | Centres |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | ||
| Tuesday 2 September | 9:30am-4:00pm | Longsight |
| 9:30am-4:00pm and 5:30pm-7:30pm | Forum, Abraham Moss | |
| Wednesday 3 September | 9:30am-4:00pm | Withington, The Avenue |
| 9:30am-4:00pm and 5:30pm-7:30pm | Greenheys | |
| Thursday 4 September | 9:30am-4:00pm | Longsight, Greenheys, Newton Heath |
| Friday 5 September | 9:30am-4:00pm | Abraham Moss, Forum, Gorton Hub |
| Week 2 | ||
| Monday 8 September | 9:30am-4:00pm | Longsight, Abraham Moss |
| 9:30am-4:00pm and 5:30pm-7:30pm | Forum | |
| Tuesday 9 September | 9:30am-4:00pm | Gorton Hub, The Avenue |
| 9:30am-4:00pm and 5:30pm-7:30pm | Greenheys | |
| Wednesday 10 September | 9:30am-4:00pm | Longsight, Withington |
| 9:30am-4:00pm and 5:30pm-7:30pm | Abraham Moss | |
| Thursday 11 September | 9:30am-4:00pm | Forum, Gorton Hub, Newton Heath, Greenheys |
September appointments will be available to book from w/c 28 July.
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.
- 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
Yes – it is advised that you book an appointment in advance so that we can ensure there’s a tutor available from the subject area that you would like to study.
At your appointment, you’ll meet a tutor from the subject area that you wish to study. They’ll carry out an initial assessment to make sure that you join a course at a suitable level for you.
Once you have completed your assessment, our tutors will let you know the outcome and discuss course options with you.
If you’re eligible, you will then be enrolled on to a course, have your learner ID image taken and given some information to help you in your first weeks with us.
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.
When attending a pre-booked appointment or drop-in session at a 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.
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.
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.
- 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
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.
Got questions about our courses or applying?
If you have any questions about our courses including when and where they are taking place, or what you will learn, use the form to send us a message and our team will get back to you.
If you need details on when our next assessment and enrolment are taking place, we can help with that too!
We want you to find applying for and joining our courses as easy as possible.
You can also find more details about how to get in touch with a specific centre on our contact us webpage.
