Adult Education VS College Courses: What’s The Difference?

College isn’t just for 16 to 18-year-olds. College courses are for everyone – whether you’ve just left secondary school or have been out of education for thirty years.

Adult education offers courses for people returning to learning later in life, allowing you to gain a qualification, retrain for a new career, progress your career, prepare for university, or learn something new. Whatever your goal, adult education can help you reach it.

If you’re worried about sitting in a classroom full of teenagers, fear not: adult education typically differs from the traditional college experience.

What Are Adult Education Courses?

As the name suggests, adult education courses are those aimed at adult learners. They include everything from short, introductory courses to professional, nationally recognised qualifications, allowing you to develop your career, retrain, or realise your higher education dream.

Unlike traditional courses, those designed for adults are typically offered on a part-time or flexible basis, with some allowing for remote, online study. This allows you to keep up with life and work commitments while studying.

How Are Adult Education Courses Different From College Courses?

You’ve likely already gathered the major differences between college and adult education courses. However, it’s worth pointing out that adult education courses are still college courses when they’re delivered by a college. The main distinctions lie in who they’re designed for and how they’re structured.

Traditional College Courses

Generally speaking, traditional college courses are for students progressing from secondary school. They’re full-time and are the next educational stage following GCSEs.

Adult Education Courses

Adult education courses are specifically designed for people returning to education after (sometimes significant) time away from the classroom. They aren’t usually full-time, offering flexible study schedules to ensure you can continue working and meeting family commitments while you achieve the qualification.

Depending on the particular course, they can focus on upskilling, gaining specific qualifications, or retraining. But ultimately, you’ll receive the same education and qualification as traditional college courses but in an adult-centric setup.

What Types of Adult Courses Are Available?

There’s an adult course available for every goal and time commitment:

Part-time – Designed for those who need to juggle work and family life while studying, part-time adult courses are the most popular. With subjects ranging from 2D Computer Aided Design to Advanced Beauty Therapy to Animal Management, they allow you to study at a more manageable pace, whatever the level.
Short courses – These are perfect for those who want to learn something new or try out a potential new career before committing to longer studies. Durations can range from a day to three days to several weeks.
Online-only courses – These courses offer maximum flexibility for those who can’t travel to a campus due to work and/or family commitments or inaccessible transport. At Kirklees College, you can find a myriad of online adult courses, such as Principles of Customer Service Level 2, Lean Organisation and Management Techniques, and CISCO IT Essentials.
English and maths – Both GCSE and Functional Skills English and maths courses prepare you for higher education and increase your success in your chosen career. Consider this your foundation.
Professional and vocational qualifications – These are job-specific, allowing you to upskill within your current career or train for something new.
Access to Higher Education Diplomas – Offered by online and in-person, Access to HE Diplomas prepare you for university, ensuring you meet entry requirements of many universities without traditional qualifications.
Apprenticeships – These courses let you work in your chosen field while studying, mixing real-life experience with traditional study.

Why Choose Adult Education?

Returning to education as an adult comes with many benefits, the most important being:

the ability to study while working, raising children, and keeping up with other life commitments.
accessing career advice and support.
broadening your career horizons by upskilling.
retraining, regardless of age, to start a new career.
obtaining recognised qualifications.
progressing to university through Access to Higher Education Diplomas.

Am I Too Old to Go Back to College?

Despite common misconception, college has never just been for school leavers. Adults are more than welcome to return to education at various stages of their lives, regardless of how long it’s been since you’ve sat in a classroom.

Thankfully, the rising popularity of adult-specific courses has ensured that you don’t have to worry about being surrounded by teenagers throughout your studies. While some courses are offered to both adults and 16+ learners, many are adults-only, negating any discomfort you may feel about being older than other students.

And if work or family commitments are strict? Not to worry; adult courses are designed with this in mind, guaranteeing part-time, flexible, and even online study to ensure you can achieve your goals while balancing all aspects of your life.

Do I Have to Pay for Adult Education Courses?

The short answer is, probably. However, this depends on the specific course, your age and circumstances, previous qualifications, government funding available, and your eligibility for financial support/student finance. Check the specific course criteria to understand the financing options available and always contact the college if you need help applying for financial support.

How Do I Choose the Right Adult Education Course?

With so many adult courses to choose from, selecting the perfect one can be difficult, but our step-by-step process irons out common confusions, helping you make the best choice first time:

Think about what you want to achieve. Is the goal to retrain, upskill, or progress academically? This will help you decide the subject and level of study you should choose.
Check the qualifications needed for your intended career. This will prevent going down a less beneficial path.
Consider your availability. Be realistic about the time you can set aside to study. This will allow you to select a duration and schedule that sets you up for success.
Explore adult courses available. Use filters to narrow your search to your specific wants and needs for best results.
Speak to Kirklees College if you’re unsure. Our team can advise you on your next steps.