The Open University has welcomed the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) as an important step towards making higher education in England more flexible for people balancing study with work, family and other commitments.<\/p>\n
Today (Friday 30 October 2026) marks another significant milestone with the opening of student finance applications for LLE loan funding, for eligible courses and modules starting from February 2027. The new system will allow eligible learners to access funding for shorter modules as well as full qualifications, with opportunities to build towards a qualification over time.<\/p>\n
Professor David Phoenix, Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, said the changes could help people return to learning throughout their working lives, whether to develop skills, change career or pursue an ambition they had put on hold.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cLearning shouldn’t stop when we leave school or university, and our opportunities to develop new skills shouldn’t be determined by our age or circumstances.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAt The Open University, we know how important flexibility is for people juggling work, family responsibilities and other commitments. For many, the ambition to retrain or progress in their career is there, but finding a way to fit education around everyday life can be the biggest challenge.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe Lifelong Learning Entitlement represents an important step towards making higher education more flexible, allowing eligible learners to access student finance for shorter courses and modules, and build their qualifications over time rather than committing to a full degree at once.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThis is about giving people more opportunities to return to learning throughout their working lives, whether they want to develop skills for their current role, explore a new career or pursue an ambition they’ve had to put on hold. It is about creating the foundations for an educational system fit for the 21st century.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n New research shared by the Department for Education through its Jobs and Skills campaign highlights the need for flexible routes back into education. Nearly half of adults in England (49%) are considering a career change, while one in five (21%) identify work (12%) or caring and family commitments (9%) as their biggest barrier to further study or training.<\/p>\n The Open University\u2019s Business Barometer 2026 report found that more than half (57%) of UK employers were experiencing skills shortages, up from 54% last year. More than two in five (42%) expected those shortages to worsen over the next five years.<\/p>\n OU student Charlotte Moore\u2019s experience shows the difference returning to education can make. Now 35, Charlotte resumed her studies after a nine-year hiatus and is due to complete her psychology degree with The Open University next year.<\/p>\n Charlotte said:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAfter 14 years working for a technology company, I reached a point where I knew I wanted something different. I wasn’t progressing in my career, and I wanted to do something that felt more meaningful.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cLeaving a job I’d been in for so long was a big decision, but with the support of my partner, I decided it was time to return to my studies. I was excited but also nervous about going back after such a long break. I worried I’d forgotten how to study, but The Open University helped me work out how to pick up where I’d left off.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cGoing back to university has already helped me rediscover my confidence and excitement about the future. My advice to anyone thinking about returning to education is that there may never be a perfect time. The years will pass anyway, so why not use them to work towards something you’ve always wanted to do?\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Charlotte returned to her degree through an existing study route. Her experience illustrates the value of returning to learning, rather than study funded by the LLE.<\/p>\n Registration is open for eligible Open University modules starting from February 2027. Eligible learners can apply for LLE loan funding to help cover their tuition fees. Explore the modules available at Tuition Fee Loans | LLE | The Open University<\/a><\/p>\n The LLE will support eligible qualifications at levels 4 to 6, including three-year degrees, alongside eligible shorter modules. It will become the default student finance system from the 2027\/28 academic year. Eligible modules will focus on subjects including economics, computing, engineering, architecture, health and social care, helping people retrain while supporting employers facing skills shortages.<\/p>\n Adults considering further study can explore eligible courses and modules, check their eligibility for LLE loan funding and find out how to apply using the links below.<\/p>\nReturning to an ambition put on hold<\/h2>\n
Helping people to take the next step<\/strong><\/h2>\n