Lifelong Learning Entitlement

What is the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)?

Launching in academic year 2026/27 for courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, the Lifelong Learning Entitlement will transform the student finance system. It will offer individuals a loan entitlement equivalent to four years of post-18 education (currently £38,140 based on 2025/26 rates).

Students will be able to use this flexibly to fund individual modules or full courses at levels 4 to 6, across colleges, universities, and independent training providers. Funding for individual modules will be initially limited to learning content from qualification approved as HTQs, including Higher Nationals with HTQ approval.

The LLE removes Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) restrictions, enabling more people to retrain and upskill throughout their careers. A new digital service from the Student Loans Company (SLC) will allow students to manage their entitlement, applications, and repayments.

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Using Higher Nationals to build your LLE modular offer

  • 47 Higher Nationals already approved as HTQs, the first qualifications eligible for modular funding, with a broad range of unit choice to combine into 30-credit modules for LLE funding.
  • HN Flex enables delivery of individual units from HTQs to meet local learner and employer needs. The 30-credit LLE ‘module’ can be created from two Higher National 15-credit units that form a package of learning that works for students and meets local needs.
  • Support to help you design your modular programmes using HTQ approved HN units.

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Prepare for LLE

Key dates

  • January 2026: Provider modular course marketing begins
  • Spring/Summer 2026: Providers submit course data to Student Loans Company CMS
  • September 2026: Student applications for LLE funding open
  • January 2027: First LLE modular courses begin

 

Checklist

To offer courses under the LLE, providers must register with the Office for Students and pass the DfE Gateway process.

  • Join our LLE introductory events – early 2026
  • Review course eligibility for LLE funding – ongoing
  • Update systems and processes – by summer 2026
  • Train staff on LLE changes – by autumn 2026
  • Develop a communication plan for students and stakeholders – by winter 2026

 

FE Network Events

Preparing for Lifelong Learning Entitlement - Shaping your local offer series

Join us at one of our half day face to face network events for centres in England. Designed to prepare Further Education providers for the forthcoming Lifelong Learning Entitlement.

This engaging series of networking events provides an opportunity to find out more about the LLE and network with colleagues to help shape your offer. We will discuss the LLE, Pearson's modular offer and provide a chance for attendees to discuss their Higher Education and LLE plans with sector experts from Pearson.

 

Location Date and Time
Dudley College 25 Feb: 10-12.30
Exeter College 27 Feb: 10-12.30
Pearson Office, 80 Strand, London 10 Mar: 10-12.30
Barnsley College University Centre 12 Mar: 10-12.30

Useful resources

Get in touch

If you would like to sign up for updates on the Lifelong Learning Entitlement and find out more about how the delivery of modularised HTQ units could benefit your centre and students, please complete our form below.