Distance Learning Courses
Adults retraining for a new job often study with a distance-learning college, and those colleges are what this page lists. Each sells its own certificate, diploma or accredited vocational course, studied from home with a tutor marking assignments. UK providers such as Open Study College, Dutch schools such as LOI, Spanish-language groups in the Euroinnova kind and Australian providers such as Upskilled all fit the pattern. The label on the certificate deserves the closest look, because a CPD mark, a QLS endorsement and a nationally recognized award carry very different weight with employers and regulators. Tutor access, study time limits and refund terms come next. All-access video subscriptions are on the multi-subject page.
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UK online college with 700+ home-study courses, from A Levels and GCSEs to AAT, CIM, NEBOSH and NCFE CACHE qualifications, each with a personal tutor.
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UK online college offering 750+ courses across 18 faculties, from GCSEs, A-Levels and Access to HE Diplomas to AAT, teaching, fitness and IT qualifications, mostly paid monthly.
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European online platform offering accredited degree and diploma pathways in technology and career skills with structured mentoring.
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Career training provider founded in 1837, offering 250+ courses and diplomas in office, IT, coding, business and marketing, online or at 65+ centers.
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Online course school with 1,000+ CPD-accredited courses in wellbeing, therapy, coaching and hobbies, sold singly or through a £16-a-month Grow membership, plus free kids' courses.
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French online school founded in 1999 with 400+ programs from Bac to Bac+5, many leading to state-recognized RNCP diplomas, plus a 7-day free trial.
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Dutch online school offering more than 900 programs and courses, from short job-focused courses and language classes to recognized MBO, HBO and master's qualifications, studied at your own pace.
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Spanish-language online school selling courses, masters, university-backed titles and exam prep one program at a time, with ECTS credits on many programs and a 14-day refund window.
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Dutch home-study school, active since 1935, with 700+ courses from coaching and languages to state-exam VMBO, HAVO and VWO subjects, sold per course with a 15-day free trial.
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Distance learning provider in England whose course finder lists 264 fully online courses, from AAT bookkeeping qualifications to personal development and employability programs.
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Distance learning college founded in 1997 that sells Access to Higher Education diplomas and vocational courses on a monthly subscription learners can pause or cancel anytime.
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Self-paced online course catalog from academy+ with hundreds of CPD-approved certificates and diplomas, mostly £100 each with lifetime access, or a £99 yearly unlimited membership.
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UK home-study provider with hundreds of free self-paced courses and paid QLS and CPD diplomas, where free study and the certificate are sold separately.
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Long-running distance school with over 600 self-paced, tutor-marked courses in horticulture, animals, psychology, trades and science, from 100-hour short courses to diplomas.
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Fort Collins, Colorado distance learning school offering over 25 self-paced online career certificates, associate degrees and a high school diploma, with monthly plans from $59.
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Australian registered training organization selling self-paced online certificates, diplomas, short courses and bootcamps in technology, business and community services, with qualification fees quoted per week.
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Spanish-language online school for Latino adults in the US and Mexico, with 40+ self-paced programs in trades, beauty, cooking, wellness and business, plus live Zoom classes.
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Irish online college offering 90+ QQI Level 5 and 6 courses and major awards in care, childcare, business and more, with published prices and monthly payment plans.
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Online course catalog with 5000+ CPD and QLS-endorsed courses, most sold at £29 each or through a £49 yearly unlimited membership, plus regulated ATHE, NCFE, ITIL and PRINCE2 courses.
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Home-study college for online A Levels, iGCSEs and accredited Level 3 to 7 diplomas, with a dedicated tutor and 0% APR instalment plans on every course.
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Distance-learning career college with 57 self-paced certificate, diploma and advanced diploma courses, a personal tutor for every student, interest-free payment plans and free graduate career services.
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Private online career college with 100+ self-paced certificate courses for "dream careers", each with a FabJob textbook, faculty support, lifetime access and a 100% money back guarantee.
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Australian distance education college with 1000+ self-paced online courses in 21 categories, from yoga teacher training and nutrition to horse care, with sister sites for New Zealand and Ireland.
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Self-paced online short courses for adults across 80+ subjects, CPD-endorsed, with tutor support, lifetime access and upfront, Afterpay or weekly payment options.
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Foundational coach training platform offering ICF-accredited certification programs and train-the-trainer courses with online flexibility.
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Online college where every short, certificate and diploma course is free to study, with an optional paid CPD Accredited or Quality Licence Scheme endorsed certificate after completion.
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Bournemouth distance learning provider selling self-paced diploma courses, mostly at £199.99, assessed by multiple choice and spread across more than twenty subject categories.
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Online course store with 5000+ self-paced CPD-accredited courses, most discounted to £19.99, plus free gift courses, an all-courses deal and 12 months of access.
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Zaragoza-based online technical school with 200+ Spanish-language courses, expert programs and masters in automation, IT, energy, welding and more, linked to Universidad San Jorge titles.
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Italian online school with 220+ self-paced certificate courses, sold singly at 39 euros or as a 59-euro yearly or 99-euro lifetime package with no auto-renewal.
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Italian-language online academy of video courses, from 400-hour business masters to holistic operator and fitness instructor programs, with tutors, a free final test and a digital certificate.
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Spanish training portal for free state-funded SEPE courses for workers and job seekers, plus paid online courses that employees can fund through their company's FUNDAE credit.
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Spanish online training center selling low-cost accredited courses, many with university ECTS credits or AICM coaching approval, aimed at public job boards, oposiciones and continuing education.
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Spanish provider of free courses funded through FUNDAE and SEPE, online or in centers in Madrid, Málaga, Murcia and Valencia, for employees, the self-employed, jobseekers and workers in ERTE.
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Spanish-language provider of publicly funded free courses, online, classroom and mixed, for employees, the self-employed, jobseekers and workers in ERTE, some leading to SEPE professional certificates.
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Spanish-language online institute with more than 1,000 vocational courses of one to nine months, from canine grooming to forensics, sold per module with a certificate at the end.
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Portuguese vocational training company with more than 80 online courses, from veterinary assistant and pastry to Unity game development, plus preparation for GNR and PSP entrance exams.
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Portuguese-language e-learning school selling tutor-supported online courses for teachers, trainers, social workers, food businesses and safety staff, sold course by course, with featured courses from €49.90 to €66.90.
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Portuguese-language site of DGERT-certified online courses, each a fully asynchronous dated session with tutor forum support and a professional training certificate issued through SIGO.
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Portuguese e-learning academy whose DGERT-certified short courses and post-university specializations run as 30-day online classes with an e-tutor, for individuals and company training plans.
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Portuguese-language catalog of more than 100 online courses from Comunilog Consulting, spanning workplace safety, health, IT, languages and trainer education, each ending in a certificate.
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Hungarian adult education school offering state-recognized vocational qualifications, correspondence and classroom courses, and self-paced online courses with one-time prices and lifetime access.
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Hungarian adult education center offering vocational courses in classroom, live online and e-learning formats, with recorded lessons, published prices, installments and its own exam center.
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Polish-language course platform run by Krajowe Centrum Edukacyjne, selling self-paced video courses from payroll and Excel to nail styling, each ending in a KCE certificate and a MEN-template attestation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I find courses that are free to take?
Yes, you can study every course for free at eLearning College, though you may choose to pay for a certificate afterward. Other providers like Cursos Femxa and Euroformac offer free courses funded through SEPE for workers and job seekers.
Do these platforms offer formal qualifications or just certificates?
Options vary depending on your needs. Some providers offer state-recognized vocational qualifications, while others focus on CPD-accredited courses or university-backed titles with ECTS credits.
Is it possible to study at my own pace?
Many of the listed schools offer self-paced programs where you can work through the material on your own schedule. Some even provide lifetime access to the course content after a one-time purchase.
Are there courses available in languages other than English?
Yes, there are several specialized options including Spanish-language schools for Latino adults and providers offering courses in Portuguese or Italian. Some schools also provide training specifically for Spanish workers through FUNDAE credits.