Who gets to offer LLE modules?

You might think that – given past failures to attract learners – that the government would want to spread the net as far as possible as regards lifelong learning entitlement (LLE) provision.

You would be wrong.

There was a stringent approvals process, which covered both the proposed subject area and which providers would be permitted to offer fundable courses bearing less than 120 (but more than 30) academic credits.

This included a set of warning flags (specific conditions of registration, other OfS concerns, UKVI de-designation, problems at the charity commission) that applied to everyone, but for providers with strong existing quality indicators (TEF Gold and Silver, Ofsted Outstanding or Good) it was literally five minutes filling a form in and a verification code emailed to your accountable officer.

This route entitles your provider to offer any LLE course it fancied (as if it was some kind of autonomous awarding body) provided it is part of a longer qualification that falls within one of the DfE subject “priority areas”, which are:

• 11-01, Computing
• 10-01, Engineering
• 13-01, Architecture, building and planning, excluding the landscape gardening sub group
• 07-01, Physics and astronomy
• 09-01, Mathematical sciences
• 02-04, Nursing and midwifery
• 02-06, Allied health
• 07-02, Chemistry
• 15-02, Economics
• 15-04, Health and social care

Choose a subject area within that broad but not exhaustive list, avoid the venal sin that is landscape gardening and you are open to attract the hordes of learners enthused by the latest DfE press release. Or offer a module from any (approved) higher technical qualification. Franchise delivery is not permitted

Outside of this exalted circle things were harder – you had to apply on a specific course basis (providing a lot more data about your track record, quality indicators, student outcomes, links to employers or professional bodies) to get approval for modules linked to a specific named course.

In all, 130 providers have joined the LLE jamboree – 127 via the “streamlined, whole provider” route and three with specific designation. Here’s a map:

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There are six courses within the alternative approvals mechanism: four at Bedford College (HNDs in computing), one at Burnley College (a HNC in Engineering), and one at Birkbeck (a BSc in Mathematics). We are not told whether others applied and were turned down (I have asked).

These providers will be able to offer short courses with a January 2027 start date that are fundable (pro rata to academic credit) via the LLE. Students will also have access (again, pro-rata and bearing in mind study intensity) to maintenance loans unless they are studying online. These are repaid via the Plan 5 mechanisms.