Adult Learning Guide

Introduction

This guide tells you about the learning opportunities on offer in the Scottish Borders and surrounding area and introduces the organisations and people who can help.

You may want to learn for interest and enjoyment or to gain qualifications that will help you progress at work or lead to a more rewarding job. The courses available range from introductory to post-graduate level. They can be studied from home, at work, in your local community or at college. Some are full time, many part-time and some you can take by flexible study or distance learning. So, if you wish, you can combine study with working, caring for a family or looking for a job.

Some courses are free and people on benefit may be able to study part time without benefit being affected. (See Money Matters).

Don't worry if you have no formal qualifications or if it's a long time since you last studied. Whatever course you choose you will meet people who, like yourself, are returning to study. Not all students are straight from school. More and more adults are becoming involved in lifelong learning.

If you are thinking of returning to learning, this guide to adult learning includes some information about people you can talk to and guidance to help you decide what would suit you best.