DfE names 130 providers for flexible learning loans as Russell Group universities join rollout

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement will let adults in England use student finance for shorter university and college modules from 2026, with applications opening in September.

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement will allow adults in England to access student finance for shorter university and college modules

The Department for Education has confirmed the first 130 universities and colleges approved to offer shorter courses under the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, with some Russell Group universities included in the first phase.

The reforms will allow adults in England to access student finance for flexible "modules", as well as full degrees, from September 2026. The first courses and modules will begin from January 2027.

The change is designed to widen access to higher and further education for people balancing study with work, childcare, career changes, or retraining. It also puts modular learning more directly into the government’s skills policy, with approved courses focused on areas including economics and computing, engineering and architecture, and health and social care.

Applications to open in September

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement will give eligible learners access to funding equivalent to four years of post-18 study, currently worth up to £39,160.

The funding can be used across shorter courses, modules, or full degrees over a person’s working life. Eligible students will also be able to apply for maintenance support to help with living costs, while funding will be allocated in smaller amounts linked to the size of the course being studied.

People who already hold a degree may still be able to access the new funding if they have student finance remaining, or if they want to retrain in certain priority subject areas.

The Department for Education says the policy is part of the government’s wider post-16 education and skills reforms and supports the Prime Minister’s ambition for two-thirds of young people to be in an apprenticeship, higher training, or university by the age of 25.

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith says: "Financial support should be available whether you want to do a degree, take a short course, or retrain later in life. Our changes will make that happen, with the option to access student finance in any stage of life.

"Whether it’s fitting study around a job, retraining for a completely new career, juggling childcare, or getting qualifications later in life, the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement will open up new opportunities for thousands more people to build the careers they want and get on in life."

Russell Group points to skills gaps and career change

The Russell Group of Universities took to LinkedIn after the announcement, confirming that some of its member universities are included in the first list of approved providers.

Jamie Roberts, Policy Manager at the Russell Group, said: "Offering flexible learning options is increasingly important if we want to fill vital skills gaps, open up opportunities for everyone to build a rewarding career, and develop the workforce the UK needs for a brighter future.

"It’s encouraging to see Russell Group universities will be part of these efforts to help people access education at any stage of their career. It's one of a number of ways our universities are supporting people across the country to upskill and retrain, alongside established apprenticeship pathways, modular provision and CPD.

"It's important we understand and respond to what learners need if we are to establish a culture of lifelong learning in our education and skills system".

The announcement gives universities and colleges a clearer route to offer funded modular provision, but it also increases pressure on providers to design courses that adults can realistically complete alongside work and other responsibilities.

Flexible study moves into student finance

The National Union of Students welcomed the flexibility within the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, particularly for adults returning to education later in life.

Alex Stanley, National Union of Students Vice President, says: "Everyone should be able to study in the way that works best for them. For some that is going to university at 18, for others a changing job market might mean getting new qualifications at 40.

"We welcome the flexibility that the Lifelong Learning Entitlement allows, especially through the modular study. Higher education plays a vital role in our society, and we hope that this funding shift will allow more people study, gain new qualifications and invest in their future.”

Professor Dave Phoenix, Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, says: "As pioneers of flexible learning, The Open University has long focused on reaching learners where and how they need to study. The Lifelong Learning Entitlement provides a real opportunity to deliver a post-18 education system for the 21st Century, one that better reflects how people, live learn and work today.

"It has the potential to truly stimulate lifelong learning, by enabling institutions to build more flexible, modular pathways both into and through higher education, enabling people to train, retrain and upskill throughout their lives.

"Realising that potential will depend on ensuring the system works in practice for learners, employers, and further and higher education providers alike and require providers to challenge themselves as to what the future could look like."

Applications for student finance under the new system will open in September 2026. The first approved providers will begin offering courses and modules from January 2027, giving universities and colleges less than a year to prepare flexible routes that meet learner, employer, and funding requirements.