Free and Cheap Courses for Over-60s
Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.
You can learn almost anything in later life for little or nothing: the Open University's OpenLearn site has hundreds of free online courses, public libraries offer free help with computers, and council adult education classes often have reduced fees for older learners or people on Pension Credit. There is no upper age limit on any of them.
The main options at a glance
| Option | Where it happens | Typical cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council adult education | Local centres, schools and colleges; some online | Fees vary; concessions common | Face-to-face teaching and company |
| OpenLearn (Open University) | Online, at home | Free | Trying a subject at your own pace |
| FutureLearn | Online, at home | Many short courses free for a limited time; fee for extras | Short university-led courses |
| Library and community digital help | Public libraries, community centres | Free | Getting started with computers and the internet |
| u3a | Local groups; some online | Small annual subscription | Learning with others, no tutor |
Council and college adult education
Most councils run, or pay a local college to run, a programme of adult and community learning. Courses range from one-day workshops to a year of weekly classes, in subjects such as languages, art, pottery, creative writing, history, cookery, computing, yoga and family history. Classes are taught by a tutor, and daytime sessions are often full of retired learners.
To find them, search your council's website for "adult learning" or "adult education", pick up a prospectus at the library, or ask at the library desk. Enrolment for the main programme is usually in late summer, with more courses starting in January and after Easter.
Fee concessions
There is no national discount for over-60s. Each provider sets its own fees policy, and they differ a good deal. Policies we looked at in November 2026 included reduced fees for learners over a set age (60 at some providers, 65 at others, sometimes with an income limit) and reduced or waived fees for people receiving Pension Credit. Some providers offer no age-based reduction at all.
- Look for the "fees and concessions" page before you enrol, or ring and ask.
- If you have not claimed Pension Credit but think you might qualify, see our Pension Credit guide. It opens the door to many other reductions.
Free basic skills courses
In England, adults aged 19 and over who are assessed as lacking essential digital skills are entitled by law to study for an essential digital skills qualification free of charge; the provider carries out a short assessment first. English and maths courses up to GCSE level are also commonly free for adults who do not already hold the qualification. GOV.UK explains the digital skills entitlement. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland fund adult learning separately, so ask your local college or council what is free where you live.
OpenLearn from the Open University
OpenLearn is the Open University's free learning website. At the time of writing (November 2026) it says it has nearly 1,000 free courses, in subjects from history, languages and science to money management and health. Some take an hour or two and others many hours, and you work through them whenever you like.
- It is free to use, and enrolling on a course is free.
- If you create a free account and enrol, when you finish a course you receive a free "statement of participation". Some courses also award a digital badge.
- These are for personal satisfaction. They do not count as credit towards a degree or other formal qualification.
FutureLearn
FutureLearn is an online learning site offering short courses from universities and other organisations. Each course is split into weekly steps of videos, articles and discussion with other learners.
Many of its short courses can be joined free, but free access is limited: typically you can use the material only for the length of the course, and tests and certificates are not included. Paying, either for a single course or for a subscription, removes those limits. Prices change, so check the site.
Free help with computers and the internet
If you are not yet confident online, start here, because the internet unlocks most of the other free learning.
- Public libraries have free computers and wi-fi, and many run free beginners' sessions or one-to-one help from staff or volunteers. Ask at the desk what your branch offers.
- Learn My Way is a website of free, bite-sized lessons for complete beginners, run by the charity Good Things Foundation. It covers using a keyboard and mouse, searching the internet, email, online safety and more. You can use it at home at learnmyway.com or with support at a local digital inclusion hub, often a library or community centre.
Our own beginner guides may help too: online shopping for beginners, passwords made simple and tablets for over-60s. If the cost of broadband is the obstacle, see broadband social tariffs.
Learning with other people, without a tutor
If you would enjoy learning in a friendly group more than following a course alone, look at u3a, where members teach one another in local interest groups for a small yearly subscription. Our u3a guide explains how it works. Libraries also host reading groups, local history talks and craft circles, usually free.
Common questions
Are courses free for pensioners?
Not automatically. Online courses on OpenLearn are free for everyone, and many adult education providers reduce fees for older learners or those on Pension Credit, but each sets its own rules. Always check the provider's fees page.
Do I need a computer?
For online courses you need a computer, tablet or smartphone and an internet connection. If you have neither, use the free computers at your library, or choose a face-to-face class.
Am I too old to study?
No. None of the options on this page has an upper age limit.