Funding stream · 2025–26

ESOL funding

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) helps adults whose first language is not English develop the language skills they need for work and daily life. It is funded through the Adult Skills Fund, with full funding for many learners.

Stream
Adult Skills Fund
Ages
19 and over
Fee remission
Often fully funded
Devolved?
Yes — in MCA areas

Funding and fee remission

ESOL is fully funded for many learners — for example those who are unemployed or on low wages, and certain other groups — and co-funded otherwise. Devolved authorities may offer wider entitlements in their areas.

Eligibility

Residency rules apply, and provision should be based on an assessment of the learner's language level and need. For some learners ESOL forms part of the legal entitlement to English up to level 2.

Indicative summary only. Always confirm against the official source documents before making funding or compliance decisions.

Official sources

Need this applied to real numbers?

Use the funding calculator and eligibility checker — or bring your anonymised data into the college workspace.