Adult Education in Cosham

Courses, classes and lifelong learning

Adult education and lifelong learning options are available to Cosham residents through colleges, community centres, libraries and online platforms. The provision covers a wide range of subjects, from academic qualifications and vocational skills to leisure courses and personal development.

Highbury College in Cosham is one of the main providers of further education in the Portsmouth area. The college offers a range of courses for adults, including vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, English and maths for adults, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), and access courses for those who want to progress to university. Highbury College has campuses in Cosham and elsewhere in the city, making it convenient for local residents.

Portsmouth College and the University of Portsmouth also offer part-time courses, short courses and evening classes in various subjects. The university's lifelong learning programme includes undergraduate modules, professional development courses and community engagement activities.

Cosham Community Centre and other local venues host classes and workshops on a range of subjects, including art, crafts, fitness, languages, computing and cookery. These are typically run by independent tutors or community groups and offer a relaxed, social learning environment. The classes are popular with retired people and with those looking for a new hobby or interest.

Cosham Library provides free computer access and internet for those wanting to develop digital skills. The library also runs events, reading groups and information sessions that contribute to informal learning.

Online learning platforms including the Open University, FutureLearn, Coursera and Udemy offer courses accessible from home. Many of these are free or low cost and cover everything from professional qualifications to personal interests. For adults considering a career change, retraining or upskilling, the combination of local college provision and online courses provides a flexible route to new qualifications.