Free* Courses for Tenants

*Check our Eligbility Criteria.

Empowering your future

We believe that a high-quality home creates the foundations for a good life.

In partnership with SHAL, UCS College Group is proud to offer a wide range of free courses designed to help you build new skills, boost your confidence, and thrive.

About our partnership

At SHAL, the focus is on supporting communities, by delivering people-focused service excellence.

At UCS College Group, our core purpose is to inspire every student to believe in their potential and to transform our local communities.

Two organisations, one community focus

By joining forces, we are bringing free, flexible, and high-quality education directly to you.

Whether you are looking to advance your career, return to work, or simply learn a new skill for your own wellbeing, we are here to support your journey.

By joining forces, SHAL and UCS College Group are bridging the gap between housing and personal growth. We have combined SHAL’s commitment to supporting communities with UCS College Group’s expertise in adult education to create an exclusive programme just for you.

Apply

Select your course from the options below to register your interest. Email feedback@shal.org if you have any questions.

Prepare

Once your application has been processed, check your emails and follow the instructions to enrol.

Learn

Begin your fully supported educational journey with UCS College Group.

Your partner in lifelong learning

Whether you’re looking to gain new qualifications, change career, improve your skills, or pursue a personal interest, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

✔ 15,000+ students

✔ £86m annual investment in skills

✔ Outstanding teaching and support.

82%

of all online job openings require competence in basic computer software skills.

£22bn

boost to the UK economy if the skills gap is addressed and adult skills attainment returns to 2010 levels.

94%

of Adult Learners reported at least one benefit from their learning, including improved self-confidence.

Discover courses that are transforming lives

Our courses are built around your needs. With our flexible online learning options, you can fit studying around your family and work commitments.

  • Essential skills: Brush up on maths, English, and essential IT skills in a supportive, pressure-free environment
  • Career & Employability: Gain recognised qualifications to help you secure a new job, get promoted, or completely change your career path
  • Health & Wellbeing: Explore courses focused on personal development, mental health awareness, and practical life skills
  • Creative & Hobbies: Discover a new passion or turn a hobby into a side business with our introductory creative courses.

Popular courses

Health & Care Skills Booster

This Skills Booster programme is designed to help you build the knowledge, confidence, and professional skills needed to begin or progress a career in Adult Social Care. Combining a Level 2 qualification with three employability awards, it provides a strong foundation for working in a rewarding sector.

What you will learn:

  • Core Care Principles: Understand the role of a social care worker, person-centred approaches, and how to support personal development in care settings.
  • Safety & Safeguarding: Learn your duty of care responsibilities, health and safety protocols, and how to protect individuals in health and social care.
  • Effective Communication: Build skills for handling information safely, communicating clearly, and championing diversity, equality, and inclusion.
  • Resolving Conflict: Gain an understanding of different types of conflict and develop strategies for managing challenging situations confidently and professionally
  • Personal Effectiveness: Master habit management techniques and develop a practical understanding of British Values to support your everyday life and career.
Find out more
Leadership & Management Skills Booster

Ideal for those looking to progress into a supervisory role or advance from an entry-level position, this programme combines flexible online learning with supportive classroom sessions to develop your confidence and practical leadership skills.

What you will learn:

  • Team Leadership Essentials: Understand the principles of effective team leadership, different communication styles, and how to manage performance while motivating others.

  • Workplace Culture: Learn how to champion equality, diversity, and inclusion, and explore the importance of British Values in modern organizations.

  • Wellbeing & Support: Gain vital mental health awareness to better support your colleagues and foster a healthy working environment.

  • Personal Development: Enhance your professional effectiveness through habit management and mastering the behaviours expected of successful supervisors.

  • Advanced Management Topics: Get a head start on your career progression by exploring selected Level 3 leadership and management concepts.

Find out more
Principles of Business Administration

This course is for anyone who wants to prepare for work or update their skills in their existing role. This qualification will help you gain essential knowledge to carry out a range of administrative tasks.

What you will learn:

  • Office Essentials: Manage diaries, organize meetings, and deliver great customer service.

  • Professional Documents: Confidently create, file, and securely store business emails and records.

  • Clear Communication: Find your voice to speak and write confidently with colleagues and clients.

  • Teamwork: Build strong, supportive workplace relationships and learn to guide new team members.

  • Business Basics: Understand company structures, plan events, and grasp basic office finance.

Find out more
Nutrition and Health

This qualification aims to increase understanding of the principles of healthy eating and the role of food in maintaining health.

What you will learn:

  • Healthy Eating Basics: Learn what makes a balanced diet and the principles of preparing nutritious meals.

  • Nutrition for Everyone: Understand the specific dietary needs of children, older people, and those with special requirements.

  • Smart Planning & Weight Management: Master food labels, plan healthy diets, and learn safe, effective ways to manage weight.

  • Understanding Eating Disorders: Gain a sensitive understanding of eating disorders, their causes, and how to offer support.

  • Food Hygiene: Learn essential food safety, safe storage, and clean preparation skills for the home or workplace.

Find out more
Principles of Customer Service

This course will enable learners to develop central knowledge of how to carry out customer service tasks.

What you will learn:

  • Service Essentials: Learn the core principles of delivering fantastic customer service.

  • Clear Communication: Discover how to speak and write professionally and confidently to any customer.

  • Handling Challenges: Build the skills to calmly resolve problems and manage difficult situations.

  • Building Relationships: Learn how to exceed expectations, build loyalty, and keep customers happy.

  • Teamwork & Business: Understand how workplaces operate, work brilliantly in a team, and support your colleagues.

Find out more
Children and Young People’s Mental Health

This qualification aims to increase your knowledge and awareness of children and young people’s mental health.

What you will learn:

  • Mental Health Basics: Understand how society views mental health and the guidance that protects young people.

  • Triggers & Causes: Explore how things like bullying, puberty, and developmental changes affect a child’s wellbeing.

  • Recognizing the Signs: Learn to spot behaviors linked to stress, anxiety, depression, and other conditions.

  • The Wider Impact: Understand how mental health concerns affect the young person, their family, and their friends.

  • Providing Support: Discover practical ways to support young people, promote positive mental wellbeing, and understand the treatments available.

Find out more

Find the right course for you

If the highlighted courses above aren’t quite the right fit, contact our team and we’ll find something tailored to you.

Frequently Asked Questions