K Academy · Funding & finance
Spread the cost monthly or ask your employer to sponsor you today. Government and London funding routes are not open to our learners yet, so we explain each one honestly and let you register interest for when that changes.
Ways to pay
Ways to fund your course.
Two routes are open today: monthly course finance, and paying yourself or through your employer. The government and council routes are listed so you know what exists and can register interest. Direct government funding for learners (Advanced Learner Loans, Mayor of London Adult Skills Fund) is not available through K Academy at present and is not expected before 2028.
Monthly course finance
Available now- For
- Anyone who wants to spread the cost
- How
- You pay in monthly instalments; we are paid up front
Split your course fee into manageable monthly payments through our finance partner. Quick to apply, a soft eligibility check, and you keep your place while you pay it off.
Subject to status and eligibility, 18+, UK residents. Finance is provided by a third party, not by K Academy.
Self or employer funded
Available now- For
- Paying yourself, or sponsored by an employer
- How
- Pay in full, by deposit + balance, or via your employer
Pay for your course directly, or ask your employer to sponsor you. Many clinics and salons fund staff training. We can invoice an employer and provide everything they need.
Advanced Learner Loan
Register interest- For
- Learners aged 19+ on our Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications
- How
- A government loan pays your fees; you repay only once you earn over the threshold
For our Ofqual-regulated Level 3 and Level 4 courses. The loan covers your course fee, is not means-tested, and you only start repaying once you earn above the income threshold — like a student loan. Repayments are written off after the set period if not cleared.
Not currently available through K Academy. We do not expect a direct loans facility for our courses before 2028. Register your interest and we will contact you if that changes.
Adult Skills Fund (Mayor of London)
Register interest- For
- London residents aged 19+ who are unemployed or on a low wage
- How
- Fully or part funded — often free to the learner
London adult education funding from the Mayor of London. Eligible Londoners can train for free or at a reduced cost on qualifying courses, with priority for people who are unemployed or earning under the funding threshold.
Not currently available through K Academy: we do not hold an Adult Skills Fund contract and do not expect direct funded places before 2028. Register your interest and we will tell you if that changes.
Islington Council learning
Register interest- For
- Islington residents aged 19+
- How
- Free or subsidised community learning places
Islington Adult Community Learning supports residents into skills and work. We are building a partnership so Islington residents can access funded places on our courses.
No funded places are available yet. Subject to a future partnership, residency and the council’s eligibility rules.
Lifelong Learning Entitlement
Register interest- For
- Learners on Level 4 to Level 6 courses, from 2027
- How
- A flexible government loan you can use across your lifetime
From January 2027 the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement gives every adult a flexible loan allowance (worth around four years of study) to spend on Level 4–6 courses and modules. It replaces Advanced Learner Loans for most higher-level study.
Launches nationally for courses starting January 2027, but requires Office for Students registration, which K Academy does not yet hold. Not available through us before 2028 at the earliest.
Check your options
What could you use?
Answer six quick questions and we’ll show the funding routes that fit your situation, then help you apply. It takes under a minute and there’s no obligation.
- ✦ No credit check to see your options.
- ✦ A real person follows up — not an automated decision.
- ✦ We confirm exactly what you qualify for before anything is agreed.
Check your funding options
Six quick questions. No credit check, no obligation — just a guide to what you could use.
Available today
Spread the cost, month by month.
Pay a small deposit and split the rest into manageable monthly instalments through our finance partner. A quick application, a soft check that won’t affect your credit score, and your place is held while you pay.
Finance is provided by a third party, not by K Academy. Subject to status and eligibility; 18+, UK residents. Missed payments may incur fees charged by the provider. Please review the provider’s terms before you commit.
Worked example
A £3,500 Level 4 course
12 × £292
illustrative monthly instalments
Illustrative only. Actual terms, deposit and instalments depend on the provider and your eligibility.
Funding questions
Good to know.
Do I have to pay anything up front?
Not to enquire. With monthly course finance you typically pay a small deposit and spread the rest. With government loans your fees are paid for you and you repay later, once you earn over the threshold. We never take payment until your place and funding are confirmed.
Can I get an Advanced Learner Loan for a K Academy course?
Not at the moment. An Advanced Learner Loan is a government loan that covers your course fee and is repaid only once you earn above the income threshold, but it can only be used at a provider with an approved loans facility. K Academy does not hold one and we do not expect to before 2028. Register your interest and we will contact you if that changes.
I’m unemployed or on a low income — can I train for free?
Not through K Academy at present. Mayor of London Adult Skills Fund places are only available through providers with a funding contract, which we do not hold and do not expect before 2028. Monthly course finance and employer sponsorship are the routes open today; register your interest so we can tell you if funded places open.
I live in Islington — does that help?
Not yet. We would like to partner with Islington Adult Community Learning so residents can access funded places, but no funded places exist today. Tell us you’re an Islington resident in the form and we will keep you posted.
Does applying affect my credit score?
Enquiring with us does not. Monthly course finance uses a soft check to show your options, which doesn’t affect your score; only a full application with the finance provider does. Government funding routes don’t involve a credit check at all.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us your goal and we’ll find the most affordable way in. Call 020 8050 0750 or check your options online.