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Short and Part-time Courses

Our range of short and part time courses for adults are designed to develop your skills and facilitate professional progression across a range of subjects.

Whether you are looking to enhance your career opportunities, return to education or explore a new hobby, we have a course for you.

Adult learner with laptop working,

How you apply for a course at EKC Ashford College

Step 1 – Find a subject you’re interested in

Explore our subject areas, and see which of our courses is right for you.

Step 2 – Apply

Apply for your chosen course via our website.

Step 3 – Come to an interview

Book an interview with our team, and come along to College to see if our course is right for you.

I want to be a good role model for my kids, showing them that their mum can work hard and study hard.

College has not only improved my studies but also my mental and physical health. I’ve gained so much knowledge, confidence, and skills that I can carry into my future career.

Chunying Wong
AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting

Your Options as an Adult Learner

4 July 2024
Here are several reasons why you should consider going back to College as an adult learner, and how it can positively impact your life.  

Financial Support

Did you know that we offer different types of financial support? Some of our short and part-time courses may be free to those who are on a low income or are in receipt of an approved benefit.

A couple of people chatting in front of a laptop
Outside shot of Ashford College

Career prospects

Example:
Salon Proprietors
£
£20,800
Annual pay
Annual pay is per year, based on full-time employment and on the South East region.
Role description
Job holders in this unit group plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the activities and resources of hairdressing salons, beauty treatment and similar establishments.
Data powered by LMI for All
Lady smiling at camera

“The course is brilliant for career changers like myself. It meant that I could learn all about web development and at the same time, build some awesome projects to showcase on GitHub to potential employers.”

Janet Dornan
Level 5 Diploma in Web Development
Man looking at the camera smiling with certificate

“”One piece of advice I’d give someone considering studying an Access to HE course is to really be sure it’s what you want to do. Because it’s only one year, there’s a lot of studying to fit in, it’s full on.

Be focused, organised and prepared for a lot of hard work.””

Tul Chhantyal
Access to HE
Adult female hairdressing student sectioning hair on practise doll

“I’d tell any adult contemplating coming back to college to just do it, walk through the door and bite the bullet. It’ll be worth it!

People’s attitudes, the education system and the techniques that we learn are so different to 20 years ago so it really is worthwhile.”

Lucy Carter
Level 3 Diploma in Women's Hairdressing

We’re part of six community-based colleges

Our mission is to play a leading role for East Kent in developing the economic and social prosperity of the diverse communities we serve.