A GUIDE TO ADVANCED LEARNER LOANS

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July 25, 2025

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Thinking about learning something new or switching careers? If the cost of studying has put you off, you’re not alone. But there is help available.

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Thinking about learning something new or switching careers? If the cost of studying has put you off, you’re not alone. But there is help available.

The Advanced Learner Loan, offered by the UK Government, is designed to make education more affordable for people aged 19 and over. It can cover the cost of approved Level 3 to Level 6 courses in England, like diplomas or Access to Higher Education courses. Here’s a breakdown of how it works and how to apply.

What is the loan for?

In short, the loan helps cover course fees. Instead of paying out of pocket, the government pays the tuition directly to your college or training provider. Remember, though, that the Advanced Learner Loan is exactly that – a loan! So, you will at some point have to pay it back. Despite that, access to a loan like this can really transform your career and massively boost your earning potential, which makes repaying the loan far less of an issue. 

The main benefits of the course are that there are no upfront costs for you to pay before you start the course, your current earnings don’t affect your eligibility, and you only start repaying in instalments when you’re earning more than £27,295 a year.

Who can apply?

Here are the eligibility criteria for an Advanced Learner Loan:

  1. You must be 19 or older when your course begins.
  2. You must have lived in the UK for at least three years before the course starts.
  3. The course you want to do must be an approved Level 3, 4, 5, or 6 qualification 
  4. The training organisation must be approved by the Government

Double-check with the college or training centre to make sure your course qualifies before you apply.

How to apply

The application process is straightforward. 

  1. Pick your course and training provider. Make sure it’s eligible for the loan.
  2. Ask for a Learning and Funding Information Letter from your provider as you will need this to apply for the loan.
  3. Apply online via the Student Finance England website. To do this, you will need your learning and funding information letter, your passport (or other valid identification), and your National Insurance number.
  4. Once approved, your tuition fees will be paid straight to the training organisation offering the course.

Good to know: An Advanced Learner Loan can be taken out each time you start a new eligible course.

Extra help: the Bursary Fund

On top of the loan, there is also a bursary available to help with other study-related costs like childcare, travel, books & equipment and extra course-related activities.

This support can really make a difference, especially if money is tight. To apply for the bursary, just speak to your college or training provider as they manage the applications themselves. Please note that the fund is limited, so apply as early as possible.

Courses in the Liverpool City Region

If you’re based in the Liverpool City Region, there are loads of local courses that qualify for the Advanced Learner Loan. Here are just a few examples:

Good to know: If you get a loan to cover tuition fees for an Access to HE course (a course that will prepare you for higher education), like the one above, and then you go on to complete a higher education course, that is eligible for Student Finance England funding, you won’t have to repay the outstanding loan for the access to HE course.

These courses show just how many doors the loan can open for you. But before you apply for an Advanced Learner Loan, remember to check first with the training centre to see if you are eligible to do the course for free. 

Next steps

If you’re keen to learn something new or finally go after a different career, the Advanced Learner Loan could be just what you need. It takes away the pressure of paying up front and lets you repay only when you can afford to. Add in the bursary support and the wide choice of regional courses, and you have everything you need to boost your career and earning potential!