🏫 Qualification courses for Ukrainians in Birmingham: full 2025 guide

Professional courses Birmingham 2025

If you are looking for qualification courses that will help you quickly find a job in education, healthcare, construction or beauty, Birmingham offers a wide range of opportunities. Below is an overview of the most relevant and accessible programmes at key educational institutions in the city as of September 2025.

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1. South & City College Birmingham (SCCB)

Website: https://www.sccb.ac.uk

Phone: 0121 694 5000

This is one of the largest colleges specialising in practical professions. Fields: Construction, catering, hospitality, accounting, hairdressing and beauty. Typical courses:

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  • Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing, Electrical, or Brickwork (Будівництво)

  • Level 2 Certificate in Hospitality & Catering (Госпіталіті/Кейтеринг)

  • AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting (Бухгалтерія)

• Entry requirements (ER): Basic level of English (ESOL Entry 3 or Level 1), no prior qualifications required.

• Duration: 1 academic year (September 2025 – June 2026).

• Certification: City & Guilds, BTEC, AAT.

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2. Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet)

Website: https://www.bmet.ac.uk

Phone: 0121 362 1101

This college offers a variety of courses with a focus on education and healthcare.

Fields: Education, Health Care, Hairdressing, Beauty, HoReCa, Business.

• Typical courses:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (Освіта)

  • Level 2 Certificate in Health and Social Care (Health Care)

  • Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing or Beauty Therapy (Перукарство/Б'юті)

• Entry requirements (ER): ESOL Level 1/2 (for education), DBS Check (for working with vulnerable groups).

• Duration: Typically 1 academic year, some courses may be shorter. Certification: CACHE, BTEC, VTCT, City & Guilds.

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3. Birmingham Adult Education Service (BAES)

Website:  https://www.baes.ac.uk

Phone: 0121 303 4318

This institution focuses on providing flexible and accessible learning for adults, often free of charge.

Areas: Basic skills for employment in education, care, and digital technology.

• Typical courses:

  • ESOL Courses (Англійська мова для дорослих)

  • Short Vocational Courses (Короткі професійні курси), наприклад, Taster in Childcare/Care.

• Entry requirements (ER): Homes for Ukraine resident status, registration with Jobcentre Plus.

• Duration: 4–12 weeks, depending on the course.

• Certification: BAES certificates or short-term qualifications.

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4. Solihull College & University Centre

Website: https://www.solihull.ac.uk

Phone: 0121 678 7000

Located near Birmingham, the college offers courses with a focus on technical and business skills.

Fields: Construction, engineering, business.

• Typical courses:

  • Level 1 Diploma in Construction Skills (Будівництво)

  • Level 1 Diploma in Engineering (Інженерія)

  • Level 2 Certificate in Business Administration (Бізнес)

• Admission requirements (AR): ESOL Level 1, basic maths skills.

• Duration: 1 academic year.

• Certification: City & Guilds, BTEC.

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5. Walsall College

Website:  https://www.walsallcollege.ac.uk

Phone: 01922 657000

A college in the neighbouring town of Walsall, which also offers programmes that are in high demand.

• Fields: Healthcare, social care, hairdressing.

• Typical courses:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Health and Social Care (Охорона Здоров'я)

  • Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing (Перукарство)

• Admission requirements (AR): ESOL Level 1, Passing the DBS Check for work in the medical and social sectors.

• Duration: 1 academic year.

• Certification: CACHE, VTCT, City & Guilds.

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Important information about studying Funding:

If you receive government assistance (e.g. Universal Credit), Level 1 and Level 2 courses may be free of charge.

ESOL testing: Before admission, most colleges conduct their own English language tests to determine your level and select the appropriate course.

CSCS card: To work on construction sites, in addition to professional courses, you will need a CSCS card, which can be obtained after passing an exam.

Private Colleges and Training Centres

Are they fee-based? Yes, private educational institutions are fee-based. Their cost can vary significantly depending on the course, its duration and the prestige of the institution. For example, specialised courses (such as CSCS card or intensive hairdressing courses) can cost from a few hundred to several thousand pounds.

Accessibility for adults: They are very accessible for adults as they often offer shorter and more flexible courses with a focus on practical skills, allowing you to quickly gain qualifications and enter the job market. There are many private institutions in Birmingham that specialise in specific areas. They may be more expensive, but often offer more intensive and flexible study schedules.

Construction: Private centres such as Construction College Midlands often provide specialised courses to obtain CSCS (Card Scheme for Construction Skills) certification, which is mandatory for working on construction sites.

Beauty and Hairdressing: There are private academies, such as The ITP Hair and Beauty Academy, which offer intensive courses and apprenticeships.

Accounting: In addition to colleges, there are private providers that specialise in AAT qualifications, such as Premier Training.

Universities

Are they fee-paying? Yes, university education is fee-paying. The annual cost of tuition for international students at the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City University can range from £18,000 to £25,000 per year for undergraduate degrees, and from £12,000 to £17,000 for some preparatory programmes (Foundation Certificates).

Some universities in Birmingham offer not only full degrees, but also shorter, practice-oriented programmes:

Birmingham City University (BCU): Offers Foundation Degrees that combine academic study with professional skills. These can be, for example, a Foundation Degree in business management or healthcare.

Local Organisations and Charitable Foundations

In addition to formal educational institutions, some local community organisations, charitable foundations and employment programmes (e.g. through Jobcentre Plus) may offer short, often free courses:

• Education and IT: Some organisations may offer basic courses in computer literacy, digital skills, or even programming fundamentals to improve job prospects.

Accessibility for adults:

Birmingham universities actively support mature students. They offer:

• Foundation Degrees: These are shorter (usually two-year) programmes that combine professional skills with an academic approach. This is a good option if you want to gain a qualification but are not ready for a full three-year bachelor's degree.

• Part-time Study: The opportunity to study on a reduced schedule, allowing you to combine your studies with work or family responsibilities.

• Support: Universities such as Birmingham City University have dedicated services for adult students, providing advice, financial support and childcare assistance.
  

Financial Assistance for Ukrainians

There are certain opportunities for financial assistance:

Student loans: Under certain conditions, Ukrainians with a residence permit under one of the Ukrainian programmes are eligible for assistance with tuition fees and tuition fees at UK citizen rates (home fee status). This allows you to obtain a student loan from Student Finance to cover the cost of tuition. This loan will only need to be repaid once your income reaches a certain level.

Scholarships and grants: Some charitable foundations and universities themselves may offer grants and scholarships for refugee students, which can cover part or all of the cost of tuition. Programmes such as Refugee Education UK provide information on available grants.

🛠️ Available Courses, Requirements and Certification (September 2025)

The courses listed below are typical for Level 1 or Level 2, which are ideal for quickly obtaining initial qualifications and employment.

Field / Institution	Standard Course (Level)	Terms and Conditions (T&C)	Terms	Certification (Qualification)
Construction (SCCB)	Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing, Electrical, or Brickwork	UV: ESOL Level 1 (preferred), no qualifications in the field.	1 Academic Year (September 2025 – June 2026)	City & Guilds or BTEC (National Technical Qualification)
Education (BMet)	Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (Помічник Вчителя)	Requirements: ESOL Level 1/2 (mandatory), passing a DBS Check.	6–9 months (usually 2 days/week)	CACHE або BTEC (Визнається школами для роботи)
Health Care (BMet, SCCB)	Level 2 Certificate in Health and Social Care	Requirements: ESOL Level 1 (mandatory), DBS Check. Willingness to work in various locations.	1 Academic Year	CACHE or BTEC (Qualification for working in hospitals, care homes)
Hospitality, Catering, HoReCa (SCCB)	Level 1 Diploma in Professional Cookery or Food & Beverage Service	УВ: ESOL Entry 3/Level 1.	1 Academic Year	City & Guilds (Визнана у всій сфері гостинності)
Hairdressing, Beauty Industry (BMet, SCCB)	Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing or Beauty Therapy	УВ: ESOL Entry 3/Level 1.	1 Academic Year	VTCT or City & Guilds (Recognised for work in beauty salons)
Accounting (SCCB)	AAT Access / Foundation Certificate in Accounting (Level 2)	UV: ESOL Level 2 (for understanding financial terminology), basic maths skills.	3–9 months (often evening or part-time)	AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) - industry standard
Short courses for employment (BAES)	Short Vocational Course (наприклад, Taster in Childcare/Care/Digital Skills)	UV: Ukrainian resident status, registration with Jobcentre Plus.	4–12 weeks	BAES certificate or short-term qualification

🛑 Key Conditions of Admission for Ukrainians

1. ESOL (English Language): This is the most important requirement. Practically all qualification courses (Level 1+) require a minimum of ESOL Entry 3 or Level 1. If you do not have a certificate, the college will conduct an internal assessment (Assessment Day).

2. Funding: In most cases, if you receive government assistance (Universal Credit, JSA, etc.) or have resident status under the Homes for Ukraine programme, you are eligible for free Level 1 and Level 2 courses. You will need to confirm your status when you register.

3. DBS Check: To work with children (Education) or vulnerable adults (Health Care), a criminal record check (Disclosure and Barring Service Check) is required. The college will help you arrange this.

   
   

What to do now (September 2025):

• Don't waste time!

• September enrolment is already underway. Contact the admissions offices of educational institutions immediately.

• Book a place on an ESOL test if you don't have a certificate. This will speed up your admission to a professional course.

• Find out about Enrolment Days: These are days when you can come in person and enrol on a course.