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.
Computing, Digital and IT courses
Are you looking to take your digital skills to the next level? Would you like to understand how emails and social media work? Or are you looking to improve your digital knowledge for the workplace?
We have new computing, digital and IT courses starting after Easter which can help you gain essential skills and knowledge to use in everyday life and work settings! Courses include digital marketing, digital skills for beginners, Microsoft for work, cybersecurity and programming.
Interested in joining? Book an assessment and enrolment appointment with our digital skills team using the links below.
Appointment schedule
| Centre | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Abraham Moss | Tues 11 March Thurs 20 march Tues 25 March Thurs 3 April | 12:30pm-3:30pm |
| Forum Learning | Mon 24 March Mon 31 March | 12:30pm-3:30pm |
| Greenheys | Fri 21 March Fri 4 April | 9:30am-12:30pm |
| Greenheys | Thurs 13 March Thurs 27 March | 1:00pm-3:00pm |
| Gorton Hub | Tues 25 March Tues 1 April | 9:30am-12:30pm |
| Longsight | Fri 28 March Fri 4 April | 12:30pm-3:30pm |
| Withington | Fri 28 March Fri 4 April | 12:30pm-3:30pm |
Other learning opportunities...
Employability courses
Our Preparation for Work team have new short courses starting in May.
These are designed to help you improve your employability skills, whether that’s through volunteering, working on your CV and job search techniques, or learning the basic skills of enterprise.
ESOL
If English isn’t your first language, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses can help improve your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
This will build your confidence, help you in everyday life and work, and help you communicate with others in your community easier.
Talk English
If you have low levels of English, Talk English can support you to improve your language skills, access services, get more involved in the local community and get to know Manchester.
As well as taking part in activities such as craft and singing workshops, as well as walks and visits to museums and galleries, you can also learn online.
Register Your Interest
If you don’t see a course that you are interested in above, don’t worry! All our courses will start again in September, so you can register your interest early for these.
By completing the form, you’ll recieve updates about events such as Open Days and early assessment and enrolment sessions for 2025/26.
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 or booking an appointment, we can help do this for you.
Our Business Support team can be contacted by phone on the numbers below or via email at maes.info@manchester.gov.uk.
- Abraham Moss Adult Learning Centre – 0161 219 6735
- Forum Learning – 0161 935 4080
- Greenheys Adult Learning Centre – 0161 254 7314
- Gorton Hub / Longsight Library and Learning Centre – 0161 227 3711
- Withington Adult Learning Centre – 0161 234 5687
Yes – we advise you to book an appointment in advance to reduce the time of your appointment and to ensure that there’s a tutor available on the day who can help you. We have limited slots available for each assessment and enrolment session.
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 (if spaces are available) and provide you with the course details.
Appointments generally take around one hour per subject area. So, if you wish to join more than one course, 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.
Failure to bring any of these documents could result in us not being able to carry out your assessment on the day and/or will cause a delay in us being able to place you on a course if you’re successful.
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 below who can help with rescheduling or managing your appointment.
- Abraham Moss Adult Learning Centre – 0161 219 6735
- Forum Learning – 0161 935 4080
- Greenheys Adult Learning Centre – 0161 254 7314
- Gorton Hub / Longsight Library and Learning Centre – 0161 227 3711
- Withington Adult Learning Centre – 0161 234 5687
If you’re eligible, our courses are free. However, 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. Eligibility will be discussed during your assessment and enrolment appointment.
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.
