Skills for life and work
We offer a range of courses for you to develop your skills and knowledge for both life and work. You can enjoy a course starting from beginners’ level all the way to advanced level. Build your confidence in reading, writing, mathematics, and digital skills on a short or long course. Our supportive tutors will help you gain the skills and qualifications to achieve your ambitions.
Most of our courses are FREE if you are on a low income or claiming benefits.
How do I apply?
Step 1: Book an appointment for an assessment at our campus so we can offer you the right course.
Step 2: We will mark your assessment in 7 working days and email you with the courses we can offer.
Step 3: Then complete your enrolment by either calling or visiting the college enrolment team.
How to book an appointment for an assessment?
Call 02045820423 or email universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk
Where will the assessment take place?
Initial assessments take place at our City Lit Campus Keeley Street London, WC2B 4BA on the M floor student learning centre.
57 courses available
- City Lit gift vouchers - the perfect giftLooking for that perfect present? Treat someone to the gift of learning with a course at City Lit. Available from £10, our gift vouchers can be used to book a place on any of our courses, from London walks and food tasting to museum visits, poetry and much more. Simply purchase your voucher and the recipient can choose from thousands of courses, at a time which suits them.Full fee £10.00
- Conversation Club (for Functional Skills English and beyond (Level 1-Level 2)
Do you want to practise your speaking and listening skills in an engaging and supportive environment? Would you like to improve your fluency and confidence when expressing ideas in English?
This conversation club is designed for learners working towards Functional Skills English Level 1 and Level 2 who want to develop their discussion and presentation skills. Through interactive speaking and listening activities, learners will explore a range of current and everyday topics while practising the communication skills required for the Functional Skills Speaking, Listening and Communicating component.
Learners will practise identifying key ideas in explanations and presentations, asking relevant and detailed questions, expressing opinions with supporting evidence, and responding effectively in discussions. The course aims to build confidence in speaking English while developing effective communication strategies for both informal conversations and more structured discussions or presentations.
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are unemployed and claiming certain benefits. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Wed 7 Oct 2026Full fee £195.00 - Everyday English in London (ESOL Entry 1)
Start your English journey with confidence! This practical Entry 1 ESOL course is designed for beginners who want to build their English skills for everyday life in London. You’ll learn useful vocabulary and phrases to help you talk about your daily routine, get around the city, visit the doctor, and go shopping.
Through fun and interactive lessons, you’ll practise all four key language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Whether you're asking for directions, filling out a form, or chatting with new friends, this course will help you feel more comfortable using English in real-life situations.
You can join the course during terms 1,2 and 3.
You need to do a short test before joining.
Contact: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or call 0204 582 0423
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are unemployed and claiming certain benefits. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Thu 22 Oct 2026 (and 1 other date)Full fee £195.00 Senior fee £195.00 Concession £137.00 - English Functional Skills (level 1)
This qualification is designed to help you build practical English skills for everyday life, work, and further study. Whether you're writing emails, reading instructions, or speaking in meetings, this course gives you the confidence and ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
This course is free for learners who have not achieved a GCSE grade C (4) and higher in English. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Tue 27 Oct 2026Full fee £390.00 Concession £195.00 - Maths functional skills (level 1)
This qualification is designed to help you build practical maths skills for everyday life, work, and further study. Whether you're budgeting, working out measurements, or interpreting data, this course gives you the confidence and ability to solve real-world mathematical problems.
Important Notice for Prospective Students
Enrolment Process:
Please note that enrolment on this course has a 2-stage process:
A written maths initial assessment
A short 10-15-minute interview with one of our assessors
This process is important as the course is demanding and requires a high level of commitment. We want to ensure that you are well-prepared and can achieve your true potential.
This course is free for learners who have not achieved a GCSE grade C (4) and higher in Maths. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Fri 30 Oct 2026Full fee £287.00 - Communication Skills for Life and Work (ESOL Entry 3 - Level 1)
Are you quite confident about your everyday English? Can you go shopping, talk about simple subjects, and write emails or letters - but still make some mistakes? Do you find it hard to speak, read, or write about more difficult subjects?
This pre-intermediate course will help you improve your speaking, listening, reading, and writing. You will learn to understand people more easily, talk about most daily topics with more than one person, read short, simple texts like emails and news stories and write different types of sentences and check your own work effectively.
You can join the course during terms 1,2 or 3. You need to do a short test before joining. Contact: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or call 0204 582 0423
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are unemployed and claiming certain benefits. For more information Click here
Online
Sat 31 Oct 2026 (and 1 other date)Full fee £298.00 Senior fee £298.00 Concession £209.00 - English Functional Skills (Level 2)
This qualification is designed to help you build practical English skills for everyday life, work, and further study. Whether you're writing emails, reading instructions, or speaking in meetings, this course gives you the confidence and ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
Important Notice for Prospective Students
Enrolment process:
Please note that enrolment on this course has a 2-stage process.
- A written reading and writing initial assessment
- A short 10-15-minute interview with one of our assessors.
This process is important as the course is demanding and requires a high level of commitment. We want to ensure that you are well-prepared and can achieve your true potential.
Funding eligibility:
Students are eligible to complete only one Level 2 qualification for free, either GCSE or Functional Skills Level 2. If you choose to complete Functional Skills Level 2 first, you can NOT then proceed to complete the GCSE for free.
This course is free for learners who have not achieved a GCSE grade C (4) and higher in English. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Mon 2 Nov 2026Full fee £390.00 Concession £195.00 - Maths functional skills level 2
This qualification is designed to help you build practical mathematical skills for everyday life, work, and further study. Whether you're managing money, interpreting data, or solving problems at work, this course gives you the confidence and ability to apply maths effectively in real-world situations.
Important Notice for Prospective Students
Enrolment Process:
Please note that enrolment on this course has a 2-stage process:
- A written maths initial assessment
- A short 10-15-minute interview with one of our assessors
This process is important as the course is demanding and requires a high level of commitment. We want to ensure that you are well-prepared and can achieve your true potential.
Funding Eligibility:
Students are eligible to complete only one Level 2 qualification for free, either GCSE or Functional Skills Level 2. If you choose to complete Functional Skills Level 2 first, you cannot then proceed to complete the GCSE for free.
This course is free for learners who have not achieved a GCSE grade C (4) and higher in Maths. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Wed 4 Nov 2026Full fee £287.00 - Maths Functional Skills Entry 3
This qualification is designed to help you build practical maths skills for everyday life, work, and further study. Whether you're shopping, measuring ingredients, or understanding basic data, this course gives you the confidence and ability to solve real-world mathematical problems.
Important Notice for Prospective Students
Enrolment Process:
Please note that enrolment on this course has a 2-stage process:A written maths initial assessment
A short 10-15-minute interview with one of our assessors
This process is important as the course requires regular attendance and active participation. We want to ensure that you are placed at the right level and can make good progress.
This course is free for learners who have not achieved a GCSE grade C (4) and higher in Maths. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Mon 9 Nov 2026Full fee £287.00 - ESOL - communication skills for life and work -level 1 (Writing)
This is the Level 1 ESOL Writing unit to help you build confidence and accuracy when writing in English for everyday, academic, and work-related purposes. At Level 1, you will learn to write clearly, using appropriate tone, vocabulary, and grammar. You will practise writing emails, forms, letters, notes, and short texts such as descriptions, stories, or opinions.
This course runs during term 3. You need to do a short test before joining. Contact: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or call 0204 582 0423
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are unemployed and claiming certain benefits. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Mon 16 Nov 2026 (and 1 other date)Full fee £638.00 Senior fee £638.00 Concession £447.00 - ESOL - communication skills for life and work -level 2 (Writing)
This is the Level 2 ESOL Writing unit to develop your confidence and ability to write clearly, accurately, and appropriately in different contexts. You will learn how to write for formal, academic, and everyday purposes, preparing you for the ESOL Skills for Life Writing Level 2 exam, accredited by the English Speaking Board (ESB).
The course focuses on developing effective planning, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and proofreading skills, and is ideal if you are aiming to study, work, or live independently in the UK.
You need to do a short test before joining.
Contact: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or call 0204 582 0423
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are unemployed and claiming certain benefits. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Tue 17 Nov 2026 (and 1 other date)Full fee £638.00 Senior fee £638.00 Concession £447.00 - ESOL - communication skills for life and work -Entry 3 (Writing)
This is the Entry 3 ESOL Writing unit of the course to give you confidence in writing for everyday life, work and study. You will learn how write formal or informal topics using the right grammar and vocabulary. You will focus on planning and organising writing into paragraphs and writing clear introductions and conclusions. Through practical tasks and guided support, you’ll learn how to structure your writing, use correct grammar and punctuation, expand your vocabulary and write for different real-life situations - all in a supportive and practical environment.
You can join the course during term 3. You need to do a short test before joining. Contact: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or call 0204 582 0423
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are unemployed and claiming certain benefits. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Thu 19 Nov 2026Full fee £638.00 Senior fee £638.00 Concession £447.00 - Grammar in practice: intermediate (entry 3-level 1)
Do you speak English with confidence but still find grammar confusing? Have you been learning for years but feel unsure about sentence structure or using more accurate forms when speaking or writing? This course is designed to help you review and practise key grammar points at Entry 3 / Level 1, so you can strengthen your understanding and communicate more clearly. You will focus on building more accurate sentences and using grammar confidently in everyday situations. Through practical speaking and writing activities, you’ll consolidate the grammar skills needed at this level. Whether you're looking to refresh your knowledge or fill in the gaps, this course will support you in becoming a more accurate and effective English user.
You can join the course during terms 1,2 and 3.
You need to do a short test before joining.
Contact: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or call 0204 582 0423
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are unemployed and claiming certain benefits. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Mon 4 Jan 2027 (and 1 other date)Full fee £195.00 Senior fee £156.00 Concession £98.00 - English pronunciation: stage 2
Designed for people who have completed ‘English Pronunciation: stage 1’ although new students with sufficient skills can join. Develop confidence and clarity, explore diphthongs and triphthongs, inflection and the rhythms of Standard English. This term the course will be taught online
Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £299.00 Concession £209.00 - Maths for life and work (level 1)
Do you want to prepare for Functional Skills Level 2 maths? Do you need to improve your maths to become more confident in problem-solving, analysing and making decisions at work and in your personal life? This course will help you with all of the above and make maths come alive. You will see how mathematics is everywhere and you will develop the maths you need to participate, make progress and express yourself in today's society. You will work on tasks which require you to use whole numbers and decimals, fractions and percentages and recognise the relationships between them. You will work on solving problem involving time, money and measurements, as well learn how to measure confidently and convert between units of measurement. You will be able to state properties of shapes, both 2D and 3D and be better able to interpret, discuss and comment on the graphs, charts and tables you see in newspapers, on the internet and at work.
You need to do a pre-course assessment. Contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 8078 0489 for a face-to-face assessment.
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are unemployed and claiming certain benefits. For more information Click here
Online
Wed 6 Jan 2027 (and 2 other dates)Full fee £267.00
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