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.
- English pronunciation: stage 1 (intensive)Course start date: Mon 21 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David John GwillimImprove your pronunciation of standard English on this intensive course, running each day in the same week, which includes detailed study of vowel and consonant sounds. This course is for speakers of other languages who are fluent in English. Some homework required.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00 - English pronunciation: stage 2 (intensive)Course start date: Mon 28 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David John GwillimIdeal if you have completed 'English Pronunciation: stage 1', this intensive course develops fluency and clarity and explores diphthongs and triphthongs, inflexion and intonation, and the rhythms of standard English.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00 - ESOL - communication skills for life and work - level 1 (Reading)Course start date: Mon 8 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This is the Reading unit of the ESOL course to give you confidence in reading straightforward and some complex texts. You will practice reading different types of text including emails, letters, adverts, posters, books, newspapers, and websites. You will read interesting everyday topics and practice finding information and understanding general meaning of stories, news, descriptions, messages, signs, and notices.
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Full fee £329.00 Senior fee £329.00 Concession £230.00 - Learn English - discover London, its history, culture and people (level 1-level 2)Course start date: Mon 7 Jul 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Do you want to improve your English and learn about London, its history, culture and people at the same time? On this course, you will visit places of interest and learn about the history of these places especially about the different people and cultures who have lived there, and about important events which have shaped the city. You will do your own research and so improve your reading and writing skills as well as your speaking and listening. In addition, you will feel more at home in London and able to participate in its rich and diverse life.
You need to do a pre-course assessment. Contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 8078 0489 for a face-to-face assessment or click the Start Assessment button on this page. Log on with your email address (not name).
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £35.00 - ESOL - communications skills for life and work Entry 3 (Reading)Course start date: Mon 8 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This is the Reading unit of the ESOL course to give you confidence in reading simple text. You will practice reading different types of text. For example: letters, adverts, books, newspapers, and websites. You will read interesting everyday topics and practice finding information and understanding the gist and general meaning of stories, descriptions, messages, signs, and notices.
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Full fee £329.00 Senior fee £329.00 Concession £230.00 - ESOL - communication skills for life and work - level 2 (Reading)Course start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This is the Reading unit of the ESOL course to give you confidence in reading and understanding a range of texts of varying complexity accurately and independently and obtaining information of varying length and detail from different sources. You will practice reading and analysing different types of text including emails, newspapers, recipes, journals, reports, poems, formal letters, articles, websites, books and reviews. You will practice extracting and communicating factual and opinionated statements about a range of topics.
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Full fee £329.00 Senior fee £329.00 Concession £230.00 - English language GCSECourse start date: Thu 11 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This intensive English Language GCSE course at City Lit is designed for adults aiming to strengthen their reading, writing, and analytical skills to a nationally recognised standard. Through the exploration of diverse texts from the 19th to 21st centuries, learners will develop the ability to interpret, critique, and craft written content with clarity and precision. The course also enhances spoken communication and grammar proficiency, preparing students for academic progression or improved career prospects. Structured support, regular assessments, and digital learning tools ensure a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.
This course is free for learners who have not achieved a GCSE grade C (4) and higher in English. For more information Click here
Full fee £599.00 - Getting ready for English Functional Skills (level 2)Course start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
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This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Full fee £129.00 - English communication skills for life and work (ESOL entry 2)Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Can you have short conversations in English, and read and write simple emails, but want to do more? This course will help you talk, read and write about more interesting subjects and make fewer mistakes so people can understand you, you can understand them and you can read and write important messages, emails, forms and news stories. You will improve your vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. By the end of this three-term programme you will able to interact confidently with English speakers in your daily life. You can join the course at any time.
You need to do a pre-course assessment. Contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 8078 0489 for a face-to-face assessment or click the Start Assessment button on this page. Log on with your email address (not name).
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Full fee £329.00 Senior fee £329.00 Concession £230.00 - English language for confident speakers ( Reading and Writing)Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Full fee £199.00 - English communication skills for life and work (ESOL entry 1)Course start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
For students who can speak or write only a few words in English or maybe none at all. On this beginners' course, you will learn new words and grammar, how to ask and answer questions, how to read and write about yourself, your family, and friends, and how to complete forms and short emails.
You need to do a pre-course assessment. Contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 8078 0489 for a face-to-face assessment or click the Start Assessment button on this page. Log on with your email address (not name).
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Full fee £329.00 Senior fee £329.00 Concession £230.00 - Getting Ready for Maths functional skills level 2Course start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
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This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Full fee £169.00 - Getting ready for maths functional skills (level 1)Course start date: Fri 19 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
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This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Full fee £129.00 - First Steps in Reading and WritingCourse start date: Fri 19 Sep 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £90.00 - Maths for life and work - Pathway to Entry levelCourse start date: Mon 22 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
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This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Full fee £179.00
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