Part-time courses
Full-time ambition
Start something new this September with over 300 part-time and evening courses to choose from.
Our new Adult Learning Course Guide is filled with fresh opportunities to develop skills, explore creativity and build confidence. This year we’re launching brand-new courses in Cookery, Art & Design, Languages, and more!
ALL COURSES FOR 2026-27 ARE NOW LIVE ON OUR WEBSITE: ENROL TODAY!
Courses available across Oxfordshire - not just in Abingdon & Witney.
We offer part-time and evening courses in more than 90 venues across Oxfordshire, including community halls, schools, and at our main college campuses.
Use course search on our website to find a course near you!
Our vision is to be a college where everyone achieves more than they thought possible. Join our community of over 10,000 learners and fulfil your passion.
Whether you want to change career, pick up a new hobby, meet like-minded people or improve your wellbeing, we hope you’ll find a course that inspires you.
“I have absolutely loved this course! Danica, the tutor, is just amazing! After 6 weeks, I have a picture on my wall in the living room I have drawn and it is not perfect but I’m very proud of it.”
LET’S HEAR WHAT SOME OF OUR STUDENTS SAY:
“I joined the course to build confidence in my garden and learn how to improve it. It’s been friendly, practical and really enjoyable. Hannah, the tutor, is so supportive, and I love being able to ask questions about my own garden.”
Elia | Gardening Through the Seasons
“I wanted to develop new skills and explore a new career path, so after completing courses in mindfulness and Spanish, I joined the Counselling course. I’ve really enjoyed it - the tutors are fantastic, supportive and encouraging.”
Dan | Counselling Level 4
Sandra Still Life Painting – Beginners
Discover our courses
Explore our range of part-time and adult learning courses starting this autumn. This guide includes upcoming courses from September to December 2026, with our full range of courses through to Summer 2027 available online.
What’s inside
Whether you’re looking to explore a creative passion, improve your wellbeing, or take the first step towards a new career, our wide range of part-time and evening courses are designed to fit around your life. With flexible study options, supportive teaching, and courses for all levels, you can learn in a way that works for you.
From pottery and painting to yoga, languages, and photography, our courses help you unwind, get creative, and connect with like-mi nded people. See pages 3–7.
All courses available online
This guide showcases our range of part-time and adult courses starting between September and December 2026.
For full details of all our courses, including start dates, entry requirements, and how to apply, please visit our website at www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk or call 01235 216400
FREE Employability courses
Our FREE employability courses run throughout the year across Oxfordshire and are designed to help you build confidence, develop practical skills, and prepare for work.
You can choose from:
• CV and personal statements
• Invigorate your interview skills
• Rejuvenate your job search
• Digital skills (including AI)
• How to get that job
• Identify your skills
• Write effective applications
• Financial Awareness
From there, you can progress to further courses that support your next steps into work, volunteering, or training. Our team is happy to offer advice and help you choose the right course for your goals.
Please email enquiries@abingdon-witney.ac.uk if you would like to find out more.
Alongside this, we offer a range of career-focused and professional courses for those ready to take the next step. Whether you’re looking to retrain, upskill, or progress in your current role, you’ll find pathways in areas such as accountancy, business, sustainability, and higher education. See pages 8–11.
So whether you want to discover a new hobby, boost your confidence, or build a future career, you’ll find a course, and a way of learning, that’s right for you.
Look out for our reduced fees
Reduced or free adult learning opportunities are available for those who meet our eligibility criteria. This may include people who are on income-related benefits, earning a low wage, meet certain age requirements, or are pursuing specific qualifications. Fee reductions are assessed on an individual basis. Some fees cannot be reduced due to the type of course offered; in these cases, N/A (not applicable) will be shown in the reduced fee box. If you think you may be eligible, please call us on 01235 216400 before enrolling to discuss your options
English and maths courses for adults
Are you aged 19+ and looking to develop your English and maths skills? Join our Functional Skills and GCSE courses.
Our Functional Skills and GCSE courses in English and maths are lively, intensive, rewarding, and most importantly, very different to how you would have been taught in your school years. The courses are FREE if you do not already have a grade C or above (or an equivalent qualification). Eligibility criteria apply and will be confirmed when you enquire.
For further details and to apply, please go to our website www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk/part-time/english-maths-for-adults
Part-time and evening courses
Drawing and Painting - Beginners
Drawing and Painting - Mixed Ability
Animal Care & Management
Drawing and Watercolour - Mixed Ability
Drawing
Drawing at the Museum with Tatiana
Art & Design
Glass Fusion - Festive Decorations - Workshop
Glass
Life Drawing
Art & Design continued
Pottery - Mixed Ability
Essential Digital Skills - Qualification
Computing & Digital Technologies
All courses available online
Cookery
Chinese Cookery - Vegetarian - Mixed Ability
Indian Vegetarian - Snacks
“The lessons are practical and useful for everyday life. Each week, I can feel and see that I am making progress, and that gives me motivation to keep learning. This course has made me more confident and motivated me to achieve my goals.”
Marina | English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
An English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class is for any adult UK resident who does not have English as their main language.
Courses run for 8–13 weeks each term and focus on speaking and listening, reading, and writing.
Classes take place at venues in Oxford, Abingdon, and Witney.
For further details, or to book an appointment go to our website: www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk/part-time/esol
DIY & Construction
Introduction to Domestic Electrical Repairs
Plumbing - Basic
Woodworking - Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced
Exercise & Wellbeing
Yoga - Mixed Ability
Zumba - Beginners
Zumba - Beginners -
Zumba Gold - Beginners
Homecrafts
Sewing - Block Pattern Making - Skirts - Workshop
Sewing – Create a Gifting Bag - Workshop
Sewing - Creative Stitching and Simple Embroidery for Relaxation
P02506
Sewing - Dressmaking - Beginners
“Part-time courses fit around your life, so there’s no pressure. Take things at your own pace, enjoy the process, and don’t worry about getting things ‘right’. It’s a great way to relax, try something new, meet people, and do something just for you.”
Maria | Art & Embroidery Lecturer
All courses available online
This guide showcases our range of part-time and adult courses starting between September and December 2026. For full details of all our courses, including start dates, entry requirements, and how to apply, please visit our website at www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk or call 01235 216400
Look out for our reduced fees
Reduced or free adult learning opportunities are available for those who meet our eligibility criteria. This may include people who are on income -related benefits, earning a low wage, meet certain age requirements, or are pursuing specific qualifications. Fee reductions are assessed on an individual basis. Some fees cannot be reduced due to the type of course offered; in these cases, N/A (not applicable) will be shown in the reduced fee box. If you think you may be eligible, please call us on 01235 216 400 before enrolling to discuss your options
“I love seeing people get excited about trying new techniques and learning from each other. It becomes a real community - friendly, hands-on, and open to everyone, no matter their experience.”
Hannah
Brown | Gardening Lecturer
Horticulture & Floristry
Compost in your Garden - Workshop
-
Floristry - Reimagined - Mixed Ability
Gardening Through the Seasons
“The
class has a wonderfully warm, friendly, inviting atmosphere and the tutor’s professionalism combined with their excellent teaching techniques have made the process of learning a new language from scratch a pleasant and engaging experience.”
Nara | Italian Beginners
Languages
When it comes to languages, we go beyond the basics. Our practical, supportive classes help you develop real fluency, opening up new opportunities and giving you the confidence to take your next step.
Whether you’re a complete beginner, or looking to build confidence and improve your fluency, or preparing to live and work overseas, our language courses offer something for everyone.
New for 2026 we now offer courses in Ukrainian, alongside a wide range of other languages, below. With courses available at every level, you can progress at a pace that suits you.
Courses include:
• Spanish • French • Italian • German • Greek • Arabic • Polish • Russian • Ukrainian • Japanese • Chinese (Mandarin)
Start your language journey and gain the confidence to connect with the world. Find out more and book online now: www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk/part-time/languages
Also available:
Creative Writing – Beginners, Improvers, Higher Intermediate and online options
Language Level Breakdown
Beginners – Year 1 You are a complete beginner who is learning how to get by and building up confidence.
Improvers – Year 2 You have completed Beginners – Year 1 with us or approximately 50 hours of learning elsewhere and are familiar with the present tense.
Intermediate – Year 3 You have completed previous level courses with us and/or have 120 hours of learning and are familiar with past and present tenses.
Higher Intermediate – Year 4 You have completed previous level courses with us and/or have 180 hours of learning.
Developing Conversational You have completed 4 years of study with us and/or Fluency – Year 5 have 240 hours of learning and have learnt the main tenses. Here there is a focus on understanding and making yourself understood in a wide range of increasingly unpredictable situations.
Mastering Conversational You have already completed a Working Towards and Fluency – Year 6 Becoming Fluent – Year 7 Fluency course and/or have 300 hours of learning and feel confident with the main tenses
Motor Vehicle
Music & Performance
Guitar - Beginners
Guitar - Jamming
Kick Start Your Singing Voice
Kick Start Your Singing Voice - Workshop
DSLR
“If
your curiosity is aroused just join in and see where it takes you. There is no pressure to pass exams. The course is simply about the pleasure of learning and improving a skill.”
Philip Joyce | Photography Lecturer
Higher education and professional courses
Accounting & Finance
Counselling
Chartered Institute of Personnel Development
“I love helping learners who have not had the greatest life chances or experiences in education. I really enjoy supporting them and seeing them flourish and achieve. Making the delivery exciting, relevant, inspiring and the assessment achievable.”
Bev Neale | Counselling Lecturer
•
guide showcases our range of part-time and adult courses starting between September and December 2026.
full details of all our courses, including start dates, entry requirements, and how to apply, please visit our website at www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk or call 01235 216400
Hair & Beauty
Courses for Adults with Learning Differences
We offer a range of inclusive short courses designed specifically for adults with learning differences. Courses cover areas such as cookery, art, gardening, health and wellbeing, and more, all delivered in a supportive and welcoming environment.
We work with Oxford United in the Community to put on weekly inclusive football sessions. There are also a range of music and dance courses. To see our range of courses go to our website and search ‘Adults with Learning Differences’ to see the courses in Easy Read . Courses run each term and last for ten weeks.
To book your place call 01235 216 493 or email accesstolearning-ald@abingdonwitney.ac.uk
Earn while you learn
…
on an apprenticeship with our brilliant employers!
Apprenticeships offer you the opportunity to get hands-on practical work experience while working towards the same qualifications you would get if you went to college or university full-time.
We’re passionate about providing apprenticeships that we know work for both our students and our employers, from Level 2 through to degree level. Our apprenticeship provision is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and every day our dedicated team work to uphold this standard.
When you start an apprenticeship with Abingdon & Witney College, we help you with every step of the process; doing everything we can to support and guide you through your apprenticeship and as you prepare for your next steps.
“I chose an apprenticeship to gain hands-on office experience in administration and events, building on my organisational skills and passion for helping others. It’s been a clear pathway into the industry and a strong foundation for my future career.”
Naomi Business Administration Apprentice University of Oxford
We provide apprenticeships in:
Accounting | Autocare | Business Administration
Carpentry & Joinery | Chartered Management
Computing & IT Solutions | Construction
Management | Customer Service | Early Years
Electrical Installation | Engineering | Horticulture
Human Resources | Hairdressing & Barbering
Plumbing & Heating | Property Maintenance
Higher Education
Institute of Leadership & Management
Teacher & Assessor Training
Certificate in Education and Training - Level 4 - City & Guilds P14207 18/09/26
Supporting Teaching and Learning - Level 2 - NCFE
P09811
Full-time Undergraduate
Full-time Undergraduate: Stay local and stay focused
Undergraduate-level courses are closer than you think through our partnership with Oxford Brookes University. With just one day a week on campus, our degrees are designed to fit around your life. Funding is available through the Student Loans Company (SLC)*
Please note that the fees given for Undergraduate courses are per year. For full details including start dates, entry requirements, and how to apply, please visit: www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk/undergraduate-professional
*for the purposes of the SLC application our degree courses are considered to be “full-time”
Call 01235 541 111 or email bicestercsc@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
Net Zero Skills Hub
Our Net Zero Skills Hub delivers industry-recognised technical training designed to meet the demands of the low-carbon and electrical sectors. Courses and workshops are delivered by industry experts for trade professionals and those looking to enhance their knowledge and skills in sustainability.
Electrical:
Apprenticeships
ACS Gas Assessment Centre
Carpentry & Joinery (Level 2 and 3)
• C&G Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installation (Evening)
Gas Engineering Operative (Level 3)
Gas Centre initial training and re-assessments available
Electrical Installation (Level 3)
Plumbing & Heating (Level 3)
• C&G Level 3 Award in the Requirements for Electrical Installations
Property Maintenance (Level 2)
CCN1 accreditation, appliances, LPG, unvented hot water and water regulations.
Call 01235 216 216 or email apprenticeships@abingdon-witney. ac.uk
Free parking on site, easy access by public transport. 01235 541 111 • bicestercsc@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
Unit 2-5 Arkwright Park, 126 Churchill Road, Bicester, OX26 4XD
Full Cost Courses
• Plumbing and Heating - Level 2 - NVQ (Evening)
• Foundation Gas Course - Level 3 (Evening)
For more information and a full list of courses to book online please visit our website.
www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk/bicester-construction-skills-centre
Unit 2-5 Arkwright Park, 126 Churchill Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire OX26 4XD
FREE Family Learning classes across Oxfordshire
The Family Learning Team offer FREE online workshops and courses to support you with your child’s education, development, and behaviour.
Courses include:
Year 5 and 6 Maths for Parents
Managing Children’s Feelings and Behaviour
We also deliver a variety of parenting courses through your local primary school or family centre, just ask what’s on offer!
For more information about these courses visit: www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk/part-time/family-learning
Call 01235 216 278 or email oal@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
• C&G Initial and Periodic Inspection and Testing
• In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment
Sustainability:
• C&G Solar Photovoltaic Systems and Battery Storage
• C&G Electric Vehicle Charging Installations
• Design, Installation and Maintenance of Air Source Heat Pumps
• Carbon Literacy Training
Retrofit & Plumbing:
• Workshops on Insulation, Airtightness and Domestic Energy Efficiency
• C&G Level 2 Award in Retrofit
• Domestic Ventilation Systems, Underfloor Heating, Heating Controls
• Water Regulations (WRAS)
Management, Safety & Compliance:
• Construction Site Supervisor - Level 4
• Safe Isolation, Health and Safety Awareness (HSA)
• SSSTS and SMSTS
Flexible study options include short courses, intensive packages, and diplomas, where you can build technical competence, gain certification, and respond effectively to the UK’s transition to net zero.
For more information and a full list of courses to book online please visit our website. Alternatively contact us by email netzerohub@abingdon-witney.ac.uk or call us on 01235 541107
www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk/part-time/net-zero-skills-hub
Looking to join the College?
Whether you’ve just left school, are returning to education, or feel that A Levels aren’t the right fit, there are many pathways into learning at Abingdon & Witney College. Here, you can be yourself, build your confidence, and discover what you’re capable of. Visit www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk to find out
Join us for our Exam
Results Drop-in Days
We’re open on GCSE and A-Level Results Day. Come along to our Abingdon and Witney campuses to discuss your options and apply for a course starting this September.
Thursday 13th August T-Level results
10:00am – 4:00pm at our Abingdon and Witney campuses
Thursday 20th August GCSE results | Drop in Day 10:00am – 7:00pm at our Abingdon and Witney campuses
Friday 21st August GCSE results | Drop in Day
10:00am – 4:00pm at our Abingdon and Witney campuses
Financial support
You may be eligible for financial help with course fees through our Adult Bursary Fund, supporting many adults to access learning. For further details please see our website: www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk/support/fees-bursaries
Come and join us!
At Abingdon & Witney College, we pride ourselves on creating an innovative, fun working environment which allows our staff to make a real difference to people’s lives and their communities.
Our vision is to be a college where everyone achieves more than they believe possible, and we are ambitious for our students, staff, community, and partner organisations.
As a growing college, we are always looking for new talent to join our team. We recruit throughout the year and offer a wide range of opportunities, including curriculum roles such as tutors, LSAs, technicians, and student support staff, as well as business support roles across areas including IT services, finance, estate management, and more.
What next?
Visit our website to view current vacancies and find out more about joining our team. Contact People Services on 01235 216 424, or email helpmehr@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
Courses for Carers: Learning together, caring together
Working with Action for Carers, we offer a range of FREE courses designed especially for unpaid carers. If you support someone with a long-term illness, special needs, or an impairment, our courses can help you look after yourself as well as the person you care for. What could the Adult Bursary do for you?