Contact Universal Skills to find a free course for you:
Email: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk
Phone: 020 4582 0423
Our ESOL, Digital Skills, English Communication and Maths courses are free if you are studying to:
- Progress into better work
- Communicate well
- Become an active citizen
And you are the following:
To study here in 2026/27 you need to be 19 years or older on 31st August 2026.
Complete online assessment on course webpage
Or contact Universal Skills
Email: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk
Phone: 020 4582 0423
Your address must be in London (or certain other areas of England).
We will check your postcode when you enrol.
| Benefit | You need to show us |
|---|---|
| Universal Credit (UC) |
Your most recent Universal Credit Statement within the last 6 months Your National Insurance Number Do not send password protected documents. |
| Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) |
Your most recent letter from Job Centre Plus/DWP within the last 6 months Your National Insurance Number Get a proof of benefit letter - GOV.UK (dwp.gov.uk) |
| Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) |
Your most recent letter from Job Centre Plus/DWP within the last 6 months Your National Insurance Number Get a proof of benefit letter - GOV.UK (dwp.gov.uk) Do not send password protected documents. |
| Income Support (IS) |
Your most recent letter within the last 6 months Get a proof of benefit letter - GOV.UK (dwp.gov.uk) Do not send password protected documents. |
| Working and Child tax credits (WTC) |
Your full award certificate from Inland Revenue within the last year Do not send password protected documents. |
| Pension Credit (PC) |
Your full award certificate from Inland Revenue within the last year Get a proof of benefit letter - GOV.UK (dwp.gov.uk) Do not send password protected documents. |
| Council Tax Reduction (CTR) |
Your most recent letter within the last year. We cannot accept Council Tax exemptions or Council Tax discounts (for example, single occupancy discount or full-time student exemption). Do not send password protected documents. |
| Housing Benefit (HB) |
Your most recent letter within the last year. Do not send password protected documents. |
Low wage in London is less than £28,860 (£14.80/hr)
Low wage in certain other areas of the UK is less than £26,800 (£13.74/hr)
| Employment | You need to show us |
|---|---|
| Employed |
One of the following: A recent bank statement that shows your monthly salary A pay slip within 3 months of the course start date A employment contract that shows your gross salary Do not send password protected documents. |
| Self-employed |
One of the following: Your latest tax return Personal tax calculation / computation statement from HMRC Statement of accounts Accountant’s letter Annual tax summary Do not send password protected documents. |
| Residency status | You need to show us |
|---|---|
|
You are one of the following:
|
No evidence |
|
You are a permanent resident in England with one of the following residency statuses:
|
One of the following: Certificate of entitlement to the right of abode Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) stamps and vignettes Biometric residence permit (BRP) Home Office travel documents Passport Stamp/Sticker - CAT D vignettes Examples of evidence: Guidance on examining identity documents (accessible) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Do not send password protected documents. |
|
You are any Asylum Seeker and one of these is true:
Recently arrived Asylum Seekers can contact us about how to study at City Lit |
One of the following: Application registration cards (ARCs) Home Office Documents Examples of evidence: Guidance on examining identity documents (accessible) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Do not send password protected documents. |
| You have another immigration status and you have permission to live in the UK for 1 year from your course start date. |
Call: 020 3871 3111 Examples of evidence: Guidance on examining identity documents (accessible) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) |
| Residency status | You need to show us |
|---|---|
|
You are one of the following:
AND You have lived in the UK/EEA/British Overseas Territories or the Crown Dependencies for the last 3 years. |
No evidence |
|
You are a permanent resident in England with one of the following residency statuses:
|
One of the following: Certificate of entitlement to the right of abode Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) stamps and vignettes Biometric residence permit (BRP) Home Office travel documents Passport Stamp/Sticker - CAT D vignettes Examples of evidence: Guidance on examining identity documents (accessible) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Do not send password protected documents. |
| You have another immigration status and you have lived in the UK/EEA/British Overseas Territories or the Crown Dependencies for the last 3 years from your course start date. |
Call: 020 3871 3111 Examples of evidence: Guidance on examining identity documents (accessible) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) |
Have a different residency status?
Contact Us
020 3871 3111
Opening times
Still have questions?
Contact Us
Call 020 3871 3111
Or WhatsApp 073 8031 9655
Monday to Friday 10:00-17:30