What is the Adult Skills Fund?

An explainer of the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) in England — what it is for, and how learners usually encounter it through providers.

Takes a few minutes. We’ll only use your details to help you explore funded options.

Check Eligibility

The Adult Skills Fund is a major source of public funding in England used to support adult education and skills training through colleges, independent training providers, and other contracted organisations. It helps pay for provision that aligns with national priorities such as basic skills, employability, and higher-level skills where policy allows.

Learners rarely “claim” the Adult Skills Fund directly. Instead, an approved provider delivers a funded course and claims funding from government subject to audit and eligibility checks. If you are eligible, you benefit through fee remission or a fully funded place rather than handling grant paperwork yourself.

What this means if you are searching for a course

If a provider offers you a fully funded place, it is because your circumstances meet the funding rules they are working under, and the qualification is within scope for that year. If you are not eligible, they may suggest alternative routes such as commercial fees, employer sponsorship, or loans for higher education. Explore available course areas to frame what you might ask about.

Because policy and contract rules change, the best next step is to complete an eligibility check with honest answers, read how matching usually works, then follow up with the provider recommended for you.

Next steps

If you think you may be eligible, you can check in a few minutes. Browse funded course areas, see how matching works, then complete the eligibility form.