EDC Upcoming Courses for Adults

Important Note: to register your interest in one of these courses, click through to the course page to apply 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.

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.

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!

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Two women in a counselling session
A joinery student putting wood together

Construction Courses

Apply now for our DIY Introduction to Bricklaying for Homeowners course at our Peterlee Campus - Starts Sept '24, Dec '24, Mar '25 >>

Apply now for our DIY Introduction to Joinery for Homeowners course at our Peterlee Campus - Starts Sept '24, Dec '24, Mar '25 >>

A man looking down a camera

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 >>

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Catering Students chopping Vegetables

Catering Courses

Apply now for our Introduction to the Hospitality Industry Level 1 course - Next Start Date TBC >>

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Travel & Tourism Course

No course start dates are currently planned this Spring/Summer. New courses will start in September.

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A sewing machine from a textiles lesson

Arts & Crafts Courses

No course start dates are currently planned this Spring/Summer. New courses will start in September.

Close-up of someone typing on a laptop

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 >>

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Foreign Language Courses

No course start dates are currently planned this Spring/Summer. New courses will start in September.

Music studio

Music Course

No course start dates are currently planned this Spring/Summer. New courses will start in September.

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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 >>

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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.

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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 Campus, In Peterlee

A photo of a man in green overalls working on a piece of engine equipment, with a red tool box in the background

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.

Free Adult Courses Application Form

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Which Course(s) Would You Like to Register Your Interest For/Apply?
Criminal Convictions Disclosure
Do you have any unspent criminal convictions or convictions that can never become unspent? Please read the terms below.
East Durham College has a commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for our Learners, Staff and visitors and therefore requires all Learners applying for a place to disclose any unspent convictions. Please note that any convictions considered spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 should not be disclosed. Disclosing convictions will not exclude you from enrolling on a course at East Durham College, however the information may be used when considering your application and/or the College may require further information from you in order to assist with the decision making process. East Durham College reserves the right to reject an application or enrolment as a result of a criminal conviction when taking into consideration the College's responsibilities and rights in the circumstances.