Introduction to LLE
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) is a UK government initiative designed to provide flexible loan funding for learning throughout your working life. It enables individuals to develop new skills, upskill in their current role, or retrain for a different career path as their professional needs evolve.
By expanding access to education and training opportunities, the LLE aims to remove barriers to lifelong learning and support learners at every stage of their career journey.
LLE is available for learners 18 years old to up to 60 years old. With some help available over 60 years old depending upon your personal circumstance. Please note further eligibility criteria applies too.
Under the Lifelong Learning Entitlement - you don’t need to sign up to a full qualification straight away – you can:
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Take individual modules one at a time
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Or continue to study and build up your learning over time
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Pause and return to study when it suits you
How can I Apply?
Learners can apply from September 2026 - for modules starting in January 2027. To apply please contact the registered provider of your choice or Student Finance England. You can find out about registered providers here or you can go to our contact page if you have any further queries.
What are Modules?
Modules are smaller units of learning which focus on specific skills or subjects.
Under the Lifelong Learning Entitlement learners can now choose to complete a single module alone or continue to study and “stack” their modules – which means after you’ve completed all the modules required and built up your portfolio of modules - you could achieve a full course award.
For example in some cases you could build your portfolio of modules over time to achieve a technical qualification, degree or eligible masters qualification. Studying flexibly to fit around your life and your commitments.
Rather than only funding full academic years, the new system will allow people to apply for funding for individual shorter courses, giving you more flexibility over how and when you study
The universities, colleges and institutions you study with will help to guide and advise you in relation to the modules available to you and those you could complete to achieve a full qualification
Please note the institution must be an existing registered provider to support you. You can find out which universities, colleges and institutes have a registered provider status by clicking here
Learners upon LLE modules can also pause for a time after they’ve completed a module without effecting your overall studies - to give you a break if you have personal or professional commitments.
Those studying courses in person (who are eligible) will also be able to apply for maintenance support to help with living costs, including some maintenance grants
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is available to new and returning learners however eligibility rules do apply which effects the funding amount available to you. Please check eligibility for more information.
You can access LLE loan funding for:
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full courses at qualification levels 4 to 6, such as degrees, technical qualifications and some distance learning and online courses
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modules of approved Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) at level 4 to 5
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modules from full level 6 qualifications in priority skills areas (for example, degrees)
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some postgraduate level 7 courses and modules
Under the LLE, eligible learners will be able to access:
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a tuition fee loan - new learners are able to access tuition fee loans to pay for course fees that cover up to 4 years of full-time study
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for returning learners, the amount you can borrow may be reduced depending on the finance you have previously received to support study. Learners will be able to see their loan balance through their own student finance account. the Student Loans Company (SLC) / Student Finance England can advise you.
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a maintenance loan to cover living costs, for courses with in-person attendance
An additional entitlement will be available for priority subjects and longer courses, such as architecture degrees - called the Priority Additional Entitlement
Learners who already have funding in place through the current higher education student finance system for a course they started before 1 January 2027, will continue to get funding for that course through the current system.
Applications for student finance will open in September 2026 through Student Finance England, ahead of the first Lifelong Learning Entitlement modules and courses starting in January 2027