Upskilling and retraining with Enhanced Learning Credits courses

For many armed forces personnel, resettling into civilian life comes with the challenge of finding new career paths and developing skills that align with the job market. The Enhanced Learning Credits scheme (ELC) is designed to support lifelong learning and upskilling, making it easier to gain new qualifications and open doors to exciting career opportunities. If you're looking to enhance your career prospects, here’s how Enhanced Learning Credits courses can help.

The ELC scheme is a funding initiative provided by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to help current and former military personnel gain higher-level qualifications. The scheme provides financial support for eligible courses at Level 3 (A-level equivalent) and above, including diplomas, foundation degrees, full degrees, and postgraduate qualifications.

The ELC scheme operates on a tiered system, offering funding of either £1,000 or £2,000 per financial year, for up to three years. This funding can significantly reduce the cost of professional training and education, enabling service-leavers to build new careers in sectors such as healthcare, engineering, business, and technology.

Find out more about the ELC scheme.

To qualify for ELC funding, you must meet specific eligibility criteria. Generally, you need to have completed a minimum length of eligible service:

• Lower Tier (Level 1 funding – £1,000 per year): a minimum of four years of service.
• Higher Tier (Level 2 funding – £2,000 per year): a minimum of eight years of service.

You must also ensure that the course provider is approved by the ELC scheme and that the course itself meets the eligibility criteria. Additionally, you must use the funding within ten years of leaving the military.

Always check the ELC administration services website for the latest eligibility and ELC funding information.

Using your Enhanced Learning Credits is a smart investment in your future. Here’s why you should consider making use of this scheme:

• Career progression: many employers value formal qualifications so completing an ELC-funded course can enhance your CV and make you more competitive in the job market.
• Smooth transition to civilian life: upskilling through structured courses can help bridge the gap between military and civilian employment.
• Reduced financial burden: higher education and professional training can be costly, but ELC funding makes it more accessible.
• Diverse learning opportunities: you can choose from a wide range of courses, ensuring you develop skills that align with your career aspirations.

As an approved provider for the Ministry of Defence Learning Credit Scheme, we offer a variety of online Enhanced Learning Credits courses designed to support military personnel in gaining valuable higher education qualifications. Our courses cater to various fields including:

• Business and management: ideal for those looking to move into leadership, project management, or entrepreneurship. This includes our popular MBA (Armed Forces) postgraduate degree.
• Advanced computing and AI: a great choice for those with IT and technical skills seeking to advance in growing industries like AI, data, and embedded computing.
• Health and social care: perfect for those interested in giving back to their community. Our varied online healthcare courses include two specifically designed for armed forces - Management & Leadership in Health & Social Care BSc (Hons) Top-up and Healthcare Management MSc.
• Law and criminology: ideal if you are passionate about pursuing a career in crime prevention and includes the LLB (Hons) Law and the BA (Hons) in Criminology.

Our expert-led, industry-aligned curriculum and strong career support services make studying with us a great choice for service leavers.

Flexibility is key when balancing education with other commitments. ARU offers a range of online learning options for ELC-funded courses, allowing you to study from anywhere. Our online courses provide:

• Interactive virtual classrooms: access engaging lectures, discussions, and group projects, wherever you are.
• Self-paced study: the ability to learn at your own pace, making it easier to balance studies with your service duties.
• Access to learning resources: digital libraries, recorded lectures, and academic support are available 24/7.
• Networking opportunities: connect with fellow students through virtual events and forums.

If you’re ready to upskill and retrain for a new career, ARU’s Enhanced Learning Credits courses provide a fantastic opportunity to gain recognised qualifications with financial support. Whether you're looking to enter a new industry, advance in your current role, or simply broaden your knowledge, taking advantage of ELC funding can help you achieve your goals.

Explore the Enhanced Learning Credits courses available at ARU today or speak to one of Distance Learning Advisers by calling 01245 686 707 and take the first step toward your future career!