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.
Assessment and enrolment appointment schedule for courses starting from January 2025
Please check the below schedule for assessment and enrolment appointments for our new courses starting in January and February.
This schedule also shows the courses that are available to start in either January or February that you are able to apply for. If you are interested in any other course, your details will be taken and added to a waiting list for 2025/26.
Appointments for Abraham Moss are available for the following:
- Dates: 19th December and 9th January
- Times: 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm
- This centre recruits for the following centres: Abraham Moss, The Avenue Library and Learning Centre, Online courses
- Courses you can apply for:
- Digital Marketing for Beginners
- Digital Skills for Beginners
- Microsoft for Work
- Entry 3/Level 1 Essential Digital Skills
- Level 1 Being Cybersafe
- Level 1 Award Introduction to Health, Social Care and Young Person’s Settings
- Level 1 Mental Health Awareness (Online course)
- Level 2 Certificate in Information, Advice and Guidance
- Level 2 Award/Certificate in Digital Marketing
- Level 2 Award in Digital Office Essentials
- Level 2 Functional Skills Maths (Intensive)
*This centre recruits for courses at other centres. The specific centre that your course of choice will take place at will be discussed at the appointment or you can check our 2024/25 course list in advance.*
Appointments for Forum Learning are available for the following:
- Dates/Time: 18th December at 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am
- Dates/Time: 16th January at 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm
- This centre recruits for the following centres: Forum Learning, Online courses
- Courses you can apply for:
- Digital Skills for Beginners
- Microsoft for Work
- Level 1 Functional Skills Maths (Intensive)
- Level 1 Mental Health Awareness (Online course)
Appointments for Greenheys Adult Learning Centre are available for the following:
- Dates: 19th December and 9th January
- Times: 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm
- This centre recruits for the following centres: Greenheys, Longsight, Gorton Hub, Forum Learning, Withington, Online courses
- Courses you can apply for:
- Digital Marketing for Beginners
- Digital Skills for Beginners
- Microsoft for Work
- Maths Express (Functional Skills Fast Route Exam Class)
- Entry 3 Award in Health and Social Care
- Entry 3/Level 1 Essential Digital Skills
- Level 1 Being Cybersafe
- Level 1 Functional Skills English (Intensive)
- Level 1 Functional Skills Maths (Intensive)
- Level 1 Introduction to programming
- Level 2 in Cybersecurity
- Level 2 Award/Certificate in Digital Marketing
- Level 2 Award in Digital Office Essentials
- Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Business Administration
- Level 2 Functional Skills Maths (Intensive)
- Level 3 English for Literacy Teaching
- Level 1 Mental Health Awareness (Online course)
*This centre recruits for courses at other centres. The specific centre that your course of choice will take place at will be discussed at the appointment or you can check our 2024/25 course list in advance.*
Appointments for Forum Learning are available for the following:
- Dates/Time: 18th December at 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am
- Dates/Time: 16th January at 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm
- This centre recruits for the following centres: Longsight, Gorton Hub, Online courses
- Courses you can apply for:
- Digital Skills for Beginners
- Digital Marketing for Beginners
- Entry 3 Award in Health and Social Care
- Entry 3/Level 1 Essential Digital Skills
- Level 1 Being Cybersafe
- Level 1 Functional Skills Maths (Intensive)
- Level 2 Award/Certificate in Digital Marketing
- Level 2 Functional Skills Maths (Intensive)
*This centre recruits for courses at other centres. The specific centre that your course of choice will take place at will be discussed at the appointment or you can check our 2024/25 course list in advance.*
Our application process
Once you have found a course that you would like to join, applying couldn’t be easier.
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.
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.
- English for Speakers of Other Languages – Apply here
- Community Interpreting – Apply here
- Level 3 Award in Teaching and Training Adults – Apply here
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – Apply here
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
- Greenheys Adult Learning Centre – 0161 254 7314
- Longsight Library and Learning Centre – 0161 227 3711
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
- Greenheys Adult Learning Centre – 0161 254 7314
- Longsight Library and Learning Centre – 0161 227 3711
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.
- Abraham Moss Adult Learning Centre – 0161 219 6735
- Forum Learning Centre – 0161 935 4080
- Greenheys Adult Learning Centre – 0161 254 7314
- Longsight Library and Learning Centre – 0161 227 3711
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.
