Guidance

Education for people from 16 years old to adults: Homes for Ukraine

Sixth form, further education (like college), higher education (like university), apprenticeships and skills based training available.

From:
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Published
16 January 2023
Last updated
19 February 2024 — See all updates

Education options when you are 16 years old and up include:

  • sixth form
  • further education
  • higher education
  • apprenticeships

Each of these options offer different levels of education.

Apply for a sixth form place

Sixth form study is normally for young people aged 16 and over. This is sometimes known as ‘post-16 education’.

You can find sixth form education in:

  • some schools
  • sixth form colleges
  • colleges of further education

You can find out which courses are offered by individual schools and colleges on the National Careers Service website.

You can see which local schools offer education for young people aged 16-18. When you find a suitable school, look at the school’s websites to find out how to apply and for any deadlines for applications.

Most sixth form places are given out before the start of the school year. Local colleges of further education are likely to offer places throughout the year, depending on course availability.

Further education (16 to 19 years old)

Further education (FE) includes any study after secondary education (normally for young people 16 or over, and for adults as well) that’s not part of higher education. This is education that is not part of an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Further education courses include A levels, and vocational courses (courses that train you for specific jobs) like construction, engineering, beauty and sports.

All young people in England are required to continue in education or training until their 18th birthday and most continue until the end of the academic year that they turn 18. Local councils must support 16 and 17-year olds to get into education and training. Contact your local council to find suitable education.

As someone living in the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme or the Homes for Ukraine scheme you can enrol as a student, although colleges (but not state-funded schools) may ask to see evidence of your eligibility.

More information about Further education courses and funding.

More information about Further education courses and qualifications for 14 to 19-year-olds.

If you are in Scotland, you can contact the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS).

Further education and training for adults

If you are aged 19 or over and have been granted permission to enter or stay under the Ukraine Family Scheme, Homes for Ukraine Scheme, or the Ukraine Extension Scheme you can get training for the skills you need to work in the UK, such as Skills Bootcamps and courses funded through the Adult Education Budget.

You can find information on further education courses, including courses for adults, by contacting your local council or local further education college directly.

You can also search for courses.

Contact your local college or local council for more information.

Skills Bootcamps offer free, flexible courses for up to 16 weeks.

See the full list of Skills Bootcamps courses currently on offer.

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship allows you to work and earn money, as an employee, with a contract of employment and holiday leave, while learning and receiving training.

It can take between 1 and 6 years to complete an apprenticeship depending on which one you choose, what level it is and your previous experience. Apprenticeships are funded by the government and your employer.

To become an apprentice, you must:

  • be 16 or over
  • not already be in full-time education
  • live in England

Find out about apprenticeships in Scotland.

Find out about apprenticeships in Wales.

Find out about apprenticeships in Northern Ireland.

Higher education

You usually must be 18 or older to take a higher education course. Higher Education is available from:

  • universities
  • colleges
  • specialist institutions like art schools or agricultural colleges
  • online courses (like the Open University)

Universities have their own admissions policies and requirements. Contact the university, college or institution you are interested in if you have any questions about what they offer or how to apply.

You can search and apply for most higher education courses online. Read more Information about studying in the UK and the application process through UCAS.

Funding

If you have been granted permission to enter or stay under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, Ukraine Family scheme, or the Ukraine Extension scheme, for new and continuing higher education courses you will be eligible for student support and will be charged ‘home status’ tuition fees, rather than international/overseas fees.

You will also qualify for advanced learner loans for further education courses.

You do not need to prove 3 years residence in the UK before the start of your course.

From 1 August 2023, certain family members of persons who are granted leave under one of the Ukraine schemes will be eligible for student support and home fee status.

Apply online for student funding.

Qualifications you already have

The UK European Network Information Centre (UK ENIC, and formerly UK NARIC) provides expert advice on behalf of the UK government about how international qualifications compare, including those from Ukraine to UK qualifications.

The UK ENIC has researched how courses, their levels and years of study compare from Ukraine to the UK so you can get a ‘Statement of Comparability’ proving what level you are educated to, even if you didn’t take any exams. This will help schools and colleges to make decisions about A level enrolment and any 16 to 19 education funding exemptions.

There is a fee for this service.

Look at the UK ENIC website.

Conversion of academic and vocational qualifications

Some employers or educational institutions will need to see your qualifications you studied for, whilst you were living in Ukraine, before offering employment or education in the UK (United Kingdom). You may wish to obtain a Statement of Comparability, which will help institutions and employers better understand your Ukrainian qualifications.

UK ENIC (European Network of Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills) can provide you with a Statement of Comparability, which can be used if you need to evidence the level of your qualification for employment, study, professional registration, or another reason. The types of qualifications that you might need converted are shown below:

Qualification list

School

Post School

  • Junior Specialist Diploma

Undergraduate

  • Bachelor degree
  • Master’s degree in dentistry / veterinary medicine
  • Specialist Diploma

Postgraduate

The cost to have your certificate converted is £49.50 (£59.40 including VAT) plus choice of delivery. These are either by digital download or by hard copy (or both), and details of costs are available.

What if I do not have all the required documents?

If you are registered as a Ukrainian national displaced because of the war and have a BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) card UK ENIC may be able to use their discretion over the documents you need to provide to them. Please submit a colour photograph of the BRP card, along with the documents you have, and UK ENIC will review your application.

The following guide sets out the process you need to follow to have your qualifications attained in Ukraine, converted into a UK equivalent.

1. Do you have a professional or educational qualification you attained in Ukraine? If yes continue to step 2.

2. Has your future/potential employer asked you to provide them with a UK equivalent certificate of comparability? If yes, continue to step 3.

3. Are you applying as a Ukrainian national displaced by war? If yes, please ensure you have a copy of your BRP card. During the application, please ensure you select yes under this question.

4. Are your documents in Ukrainian? If yes, go to step 5.

5. Are you able to have your documents translated into English? If yes, go to step 7. If no, do you wish to use the UK ENIC Translation Waiver Service? If yes, go to step 6.

6. This service costs £40 (£48 including VAT). Before you apply, you will need the following documents:

  • clear colour photographs or scans of your final certificates (decorative certificate)
  • academic transcripts or marksheets (showing subjects and grades)
  • certified translations of your documents into English

7.     Are you able to make the application online? If yes, please go to step 8.

8.     Please register here. You will be able to upload documents and make payments to your account after you register. Now go to step 9.

9.     Do you need your Statement of Comparability urgently? If yes, go to step 10.

10.     You can add on the Fast Track service to your application. Please select the Fast Track option (either 24 or 48 hours, one or two working days). Fast Track costs are paid in addition to the standard service price of £49.50 plus VAT and are:

  • £174 plus VAT – 24-hour service or £124 plus VAT – 48-hour service

Your Statement of Comparability will be sent to you within 15 working days, providing there are no queries over the documents or qualifications.

Ukrainian nationals wishing to take Early Years Initial Teacher Training can access funding if they have the rights to live and work in the UK. They should visit Get into Teaching for more information about the routes they can take and to learn more about funding.

Ukraine nationals wishing to become a teacher should visit Ukrainian teachers and trainees coming to the UK / Get Into Teaching GOV.UK (education.gov.uk) for more information.

Published 16 January 2023
Last updated 19 February 2024 + show all updates

  1. Guidance has been updated following changes to the Homes for Ukraine Immigration Rules on 19 February 2024.

  2. Added translation

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