Want to learn something new, increase your skills, meet some new people or improve your career prospects? Get started with our fantastic range of part-time courses - many of which are free & available exclusively for adults!
East Durham College provides training and education to more adults from County Durham than any other further education provider in the North East - and nearly 50% more than the next largest provider.
This page is updated as and when we receive information about new courses, so please check back regularly to see what's available! New adult courses generally start in September, January and around Easter time each year.
You can also click here to check out our Courses for Adults Guide >> for on overview of all the part-time and full-time courses planned from Sept 2024 to July 2025 which adult learners can enrol on.
LAST ADULT COURSES RUNNING BEFORE THE SUMMER BREAK AT OUR PETERLEE CAMPUS
A.I. in Photography
Start dates: Tuesday 4th June to July 2nd. 5 weeks, Tuesday evenings, 5:30 to 8:30PM
OR Friday June 7th to 14th, 2 Weeks, 9:00AM to 3:30PM
Barista Crash Course
Start date: Wed 5th June 5pm-9pm, runs for 5 weeks.
Nutrition for a Healthy Lifestyle
Start date: Tuesday & Thursday 5pm - 9pm, runs for 5 weeks.
Intro to Hair
Start date: 10th July 2024, Mondays, 9AM to 3:30PM.
Intro to Gents Barbering
Start date: 12th July 2024, Wednesdays, 9AM to 4PM.
Important Note: to register your interest in one of these courses, click through to the course page to apply (if linked) or simply scroll down to the bottom of this page where you'll find a web form that will allow you to fill in your details. Most of our short part-time courses are FREE of charge.
We'll then be in touch with more information about your chosen course and ask whether you still would like to enrol onto it.
Peterlee Campus Courses
Our Peterlee campus is a fantastic place to take an adult course. With plenty of vocational short, part-time courses available, there's something for everyone!
Hair & Beauty Courses
Apply now for our Barbering Fading Skills course - Starts 22nd April >>
Apply now for our Nails Technology Level 2 course - Starts September >>
Apply now for our Nails Technology Level 3 course - Starts September >>
Care Courses (Counselling, Health, Childcare & Early Years Support)
Apply now for our Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Schools - Starts September >>
Apply Now for Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner - Starts September >>
Apply now for our Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning - Starts September >>
Apply now for our Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning - Starts September >>
Apply now for our Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Health & Social Care - Starts September
Counselling
Apply now for our Level 2 Counselling course - Starts September >>
Apply now for our Level 3 Counselling course - Starts September >>
Apply now for our Counselling Foundation Degree course - Starts September >>
We also provide a huge range of care-related distance learning courses >>
Construction Courses
Photography Course (At Peterlee)
Apply now for Level 1 Photography course at our Peterlee Campus - Starts Fri 26th April >>
Apply now for our Level 2 Photography at our Peterlee Campus - Starts September >>
Photography Course (At Houghall, Durham)
Apply now for Level 1 Photography at our Houghall Campus - Next Course Starts Sept >>
Sport Courses
Apply now for our Kettlebell Training Instructor Level 2 Award course - Starts 23rd May >> (more info coming soon)
Apply now for our Foundation Degree (FdSc) Sports Coaching - Starts September >>
Catering Courses
Apply now for our Introduction to the Hospitality Industry Level 1 course - Next Start Date TBC >>
Travel & Tourism Courses
Level 1 Certificate in Exploring the Aviation Industry - Starts September 2024 >>
Accounting & Business Courses
Apply now for our Business for Beginners Level 1 (AAT), Starts Wed 1st May >>
Apply now for our AAT Accountancy Level 2 course, Starts September (Daytime option) >>
Apply now for our AAT Accountancy Level 2 course, Starts September (Evening option) >>
AAT Accountancy Level 3 course, Starts September (Daytime), details coming soon.
Arts & Crafts Courses
No course start dates are currently planned this Spring/Summer. New courses will start in September.
IT Computing Courses
Level 1 Award in Computer Programming, Starts Fri 26th April - details coming soon >>
Level 2 Award in Computer Programming, Starts Fri 26th April >>
Foreign Language Courses
No course start dates are currently planned this Spring/Summer. New courses will start in September.
Music Course
No course start dates are currently planned this Spring/Summer. New courses will start in September.
Functional Skills Maths & English
If you don't already hold a qualification in maths or English, these FREE courses are ideal for getting you up to speed. We offer both longer and fast-track versions of maths and English. Maths & English courses run regularly throughout the year. Apply now and we'll be in touch when the next one is available!
Apply now for Maths & English courses >>
Level 2 Fast Track Maths & English Courses
These intense one-week courses enable you to get a recognised qualification in just one week!
Fast Track English - Starts 17th June >>
Fast Track Maths - Starts 24th June >>
ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages Course
Apply now for our ESOL English for Speakers of Other Languages (Multiple start dates) courses >>
Houghall Campus (Durham)
Our specialist land-based campus, Houghall, in Durham, offers some fantastic short courses for adults. Here's what's currently available.
Introduction Taster Courses - Level 1
We offer a range of 10-week, one-night-a-week, 'Introduction to Courses' in a range of subject areas:
Level 1 Introduction to Gardening course - Next Start Date Sept >>
Level 1 Introduction to Animal Care - Next Start Date Sept >>
Level 1 Introduction to Horse Care course - Next Start Date Sept >>
Level 1 Introduction to Farming course - Next Start Date Sept >>
Exciting New Level 2 Courses - One evening per week for 16 weeks
We offer a range of 16-week, one-night-a-week, follow-on level 2 courses in a range of subject areas:
Level 2 Introduction to Exotics & Zoo Animals Husbandry- Next Start Date Sept >>
Level 2 Introduction to Animal Behaviour & Welfare - Next Start Date Sept >>
Level 2 Introduction to Horse Care & Management - Next Start Date Sept >>
Level 2 Introduction to Native Wildlife - Next Start Date Sept >>
Photography Part-time Courses
Apply now for Level 1 Photography at our Houghall Campus - Next Start Date Sept >>
Floristry Part-time Courses
Level 1 Award in Floristry - Starts September 2024 >>
Level 2 Certificate in Floristry - Starts September 2024 >>
Horticulture Part-time Course
Level 1 Introduction Award to Gardening & Horticulture - Next Start Date Sept >>
The Technical Academy (Peterlee)
Introduction to Vehicle Maintenance - Starts Tue 23rd April, details to follow >>
Course Fees
Depending on your circumstances/income, you may be eligible to take many of these courses free of charge. Please visit our Fees page for more details or contact the student services team using the website livechat or call 0191 518 8222 for more information.