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.
52 courses available
- Conversation Club L1-L2
Do you speak English as a second language? Do you want to practise your speaking and listening skills in an immersive and engaging environment? Want to practise making good conversation? Would you like to improve your fluency and learn social cues, norms and natural key phrases we use in the English language? The conversation club will allow you to develop your verbal and non-verbal communication skills. You will meet different people on the course and explore different themes and topics.
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Tue 22 Sep 2026 (and 1 other date)Full fee £195.00 Senior fee £195.00 Concession £137.00 - English pronunciation: stage 1
Are you a non-native fluent speaker who wants to improve your pronunciation of English and to speak the language more clearly and confidently? Work on clear formation of vowel and consonant sounds including the English neutral vowel and the distinction between voiced and unvoiced sounds. This course will be taught on a Friday afternoon to attract those who may have time between morning and evening work shifts.
Keeley Street
Fri 25 Sep 2026 (and 4 other dates)Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £299.00 Concession £209.00 - English pronunciation: stage 3Designed for students who have completed 'English Pronunciation' stages 1 and 2, and those who have near native placement. Conversation and the reading aloud of a variety of texts will help to pinpoint those pronunciation worries still to be addressed when speaking English as a non-native speaker. This course will be taught in the college.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £299.00 Concession £209.00
- Conversation Club E1-E3
Do you speak English as a second language? Do you want to practise your speaking and listening skills in an immersive and engaging environment? Want to practise making good conversation? Would you like to improve your fluency and learn social cues, norms and natural key phrases we use in the English language? The conversation club will allow you to develop your verbal and non-verbal communication skills. You will meet different people on the course and explore different themes and topics.
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Fri 25 Sep 2026 (and 2 other dates)Full fee £195.00 - English pronunciation: stage 2Designed 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 in the college.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £299.00 Concession £209.00
- English communication skills for life and work (ESOL entry 1)
This course is for beginners who only know a few words in English. You will learn new words, simple grammar, how to ask and answer questions, and how to talk and write about yourself, your family, and your friends. You will also learn how to fill in forms and write short emails.
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 020 8078 0489
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Wed 30 Sep 2026 (and 2 other dates)Full fee £339.00 Senior fee £339.00 Concession £237.00 - Develop your confidence in writing: grammar, punctuation, expression (level 1-2)
This course offers a supportive space for adults to rediscover the building blocks of effective writing. Whether you're returning to education or looking to sharpen your everyday communication, you'll gain the tools to write with greater ease and confidence. Through guided practice and real-world tasks, you'll learn how to express yourself more clearly and with greater impact.
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Thu 1 Oct 2026 (and 1 other date)Full fee £174.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £87.00 - English Communication Skills for Life and Work (ESOL Entry 1-2)
This course is for students who are not complete beginners and can speak and write a little English. You will learn new words and grammar, how to ask and answer questions, how to read and write about yourself, family and friends and how to fill in forms and write short notes and emails.
You will also learn simple maths - for example, how to count, tell the time and name shapes.
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 claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Mon 5 Oct 2026 (and 1 other date)Full fee £289.00 Senior fee £289.00 Concession £202.00 - 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 claiming 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 claiming 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 - 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
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