Plan ahead!

Your guide to personal development and education for serving personnel, Service leavers and veterans: how it can improve your career prospects, and the funding that may help you pay for it.

Last reviewed: 25 October 2026.

Personal development and education opportunities

What is personal development (PD)?

PD is about improving yourself, for whatever reason matters to you. It's open to everyone, and you might do it to:

• learn more about a subject that interests you
• pick up new ideas or skills
• broaden your horizons
• improve your career prospects in the Service
• gain qualifications
• prepare for a second career.

PD won't just happen. You need to find out what's available and decide what you want to do. Use the route map below as a guide.

A PD route map

1. Talk to your line manager about a realistic plan, and keep your personal development record (PDR) up to date.
2. Decide:
   • what you want to study, and which qualification (if any) you want
   • the level, from English, maths and digital skills through GCSEs, A levels, T Levels and vocational qualifications, to HNCs, HNDs, degrees and postgraduate study
   • how you want to study: a short course, part-time classes, distance learning or a mix.
3. Choose a route: in-Service learning, a local college or training provider, or distance and online learning (see below).
4. Check the funding. Learning credits and other schemes may help, depending on your eligibility, the course and whether it is approved. See 'Sources of advice and finance' below.
5. Course complete? Update your PDR and look for your next learning.

Other sources of information

• your unit education or training staff
• your local education centre
• in-Service publications
• local libraries, colleges and universities
• Quest magazine and questonline.co.uk
• friends and family who have studied the course.

In-Service

PD can mean anything from career courses to sports and adventurous training. Your education staff can tell you what's open to you, and Quest covers more options for Service personnel.

Local colleges and training providers

Colleges and training providers offer further education (FE) and higher education (HE). FE is learning below higher education level, such as English and maths, vocational qualifications, A levels, T Levels and Access to HE Diplomas, and it's open to adults as well as school leavers. HE covers qualifications at Level 4 and above: HNCs (Level 4), HNDs and foundation degrees (Level 5), bachelor's degrees (Level 6) and postgraduate study. Many colleges teach both. Ask your education staff, or look at the college's course pages.

Distance and online learning

You won't need to attend a college for every session. Much of the work can be done online, around your duties and family, with tutor support usually available. See 'Distance learning' below for what to check first.

Funding may be available, depending on your eligibility, the course and approval. See 'Sources of advice and finance' below. Course complete? Look for your next learning!

Distance learning

Distance learning lets you fit most of your study around your duties, but it isn't unlimited. Many courses have fixed start dates, assignment deadlines, live online sessions and exams on set dates, and some need you to attend practical sessions, placements or residential schools. Some courses and learning platforms can't be used from every country, so check before you enrol if you could be posted or deployed overseas. You'll also need the discipline to plan your study time and keep up.

Standard Learning Credits (SLC) or Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) may help with the cost if you're eligible and the course is approved, but you can't use both for the same learning purpose. See 'Sources of advice and finance' below, and our guide to distance learning.

eLearning: the Defence Learning Environment (DLE)

The DLE is Defence's online learning platform. It delivers online and blended learning to eligible Defence users, including Service personnel, MOD civilians and supporting contractors. You need a Defence Gateway account to use it. What you can see and join depends on your account type, and some courses need you to be enrolled by the course owner, so ask your unit education or training staff. Sign in or register through Defence Gateway.

College courses

You may prefer a part-time class or short course at a local college. Some people find the structure easier than studying alone. Your education staff can help you find suitable courses, and colleges publish details on their websites. Get authority from your unit before you commit to attending, and take advice before you pay anything. You may be able to use SLC or ELC if you're eligible and the course is approved.

Some in-Service education centres also run classes for Service personnel and, in some locations, families, especially overseas. Ask your local education centre what's currently available, who can attend, what it costs and whether any discounts apply.

Personal development record (PDR)

Keep your own PDR, recording your education and other PD achievements, appraisals and courses. It helps you look at what you're doing, what you've learned and where you're heading in your career and personal development. Ask your education or training staff where to get one.

Sources of advice and finance

Standard Learning Credits (SLC)

SLC helps serving personnel with learning costs. You can claim 80% of eligible fees, up to £175 per financial year (1 April to 31 March). Unused allowance doesn't carry over.

The course may or may not lead to a nationally recognised qualification, but it must have substantial developmental value or, where relevant, resettlement content. You must also show that it will benefit Defence, unless you're a Service leaver doing it as part of your planned resettlement. See your education staff before you start: your application needs their approval and your line manager's. You can't claim SLC and ELC for the same learning purpose.

Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC)

ELC contributes towards the cost of approved learning for registered members of the scheme, while serving and after you leave. The course must lead to a nationally recognised qualification at Level 3 or above (SCQF Level 6 or above in Scotland), and both the provider and the course must be approved by ELCAS.

• Lower tier: up to £1,000 per claim, after six or more years' qualifying service.
• Higher tier: up to £2,000 per claim, after eight or more years' qualifying service.

You can make three claims in total, one per financial year. ELC pays up to 80% of the course fees, within your tier limit, so you contribute at least 20% yourself.

Some members with six to eight years' qualifying service can instead take a single aggregated lower-tier award of up to £3,000. Six years' service alone doesn't make you eligible: other criteria in JSP 822 apply, and the award replaces all three lower-tier claims, so check with your education staff before choosing it.

If you left on or after 1 April 2016, you normally have five years after leaving to use ELC (longer for some medical discharges). Submit your claim at least 15 working days before the course starts, and give your Claim Authorisation Note (CAN) to the provider before your learning begins. Talk to your line manager and education staff, or your Single Service Representative if you've left, before you commit to any payment.

Publicly Funded FE/HE scheme
This is a separate scheme with its own rules, not the ordinary ELC offer. It can pay tuition fees in full for eligible Service leavers taking a first full Level 3 qualification (such as two A levels or a vocational equivalent) or a first foundation or undergraduate degree. You must be an ELC member, normally with at least six years' service (some medical discharges are exempt), and time limits, UK residency rules and other conditions apply. You can't receive other public funding for the same tuition.

For full details visit enhancedlearningcredits.com and read our ELC 101 guide.

Individual Resettlement Training Costs (IRTC) grant

IRTC is available to Service leavers with six or more years' service and to all medical discharges. It provides up to £534 towards resettlement training through the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) or external providers.

Contract-funded (CF) courses are pre-paid by the MOD under the CTP contract. They cost you no fees, but each training day uses Graduated Resettlement Time (GRT) and £26.70 of your IRTC, so the full £534 covers up to 20 days. The CTP runs vocational courses at its Resettlement Training Centre in Aldershot and from its ten Regional Resettlement Centres around the UK, alongside online workshops and resources. Where a CTP course meets your need, MOD policy is to use it first.

Non-contract-funded training, meaning CTP courses outside the MOD contract and courses with external providers, can be paid for with IRTC, ELC or your own money. If you're using ELC as well, IRTC can cover your 20% personal contribution, within the ELC rules. Exam and awarding-body fees are paid before the course. Where necessary, IRTC can cover them if you have enough left, or you may be able to reclaim 80% through SLC. Get your Service Resettlement Adviser's approval before you book anything.

Advanced Learner Loans

An Advanced Learner Loan can help with the cost of a Level 3 to Level 6 course at an approved college or training provider in England. You must be 19 or over on the first day of the course, and nationality and residency conditions apply. Eligibility doesn't depend on your income, and there are no credit checks.

For Level 4, 5 or 6 courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, you may need to apply through the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) instead. Check which route applies with your college or provider before you apply. Find out more and check eligibility at gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pension Scheme

These schemes compensate for injury, illness or death caused by service. They are compensation schemes, not education grants.

• The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) covers injury, illness or death caused by service on or after 6 April 2005. You can claim while serving or after you leave, including as a reservist.
• The War Pension Scheme (WPS) covers disablement caused or made worse by service before 6 April 2005. You can claim once you've left.

For advice, call the Veterans UK free helpline on 0808 1914 218 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm) or visit Veterans UK on GOV.UK. Guidance on each scheme: AFCS and WPS.

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

UCAS handles applications for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges across the UK. A levels aren't the only way in. Universities assess your qualifications and relevant experience against each course's entry requirements, so check them carefully: vocational qualifications, Access to HE Diplomas and Service experience can all count, but no qualification guarantees a place.

Call UCAS on 0371 468 0468 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6pm) or visit ucas.com.

University Short Course Programme (USCP)

The USCP offers serving personnel short courses at universities to support their general educational development, in subjects such as leadership and management, regional and strategic studies, and languages. Courses, selection, eligibility and funding, including whether fees and accommodation are covered, are set out in the current Defence Instruction and Notice (DIN). Ask your education centre for current courses and joining instructions.

Independent careers advice

Free careers advice is available across the UK, whether or not you claim benefits.

• England (adults 18+): the DWP Jobs and Careers Service. Call 0800 072 0288 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) or visit get careers information and advice.
• Scotland: My World of Work, from Skills Development Scotland. Call 0800 917 8000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or visit myworldofwork.co.uk.
• Wales: Careers Wales. Call 0800 028 4844 or visit careerswales.gov.wales.
• Northern Ireland: the Careers Service. Call 0300 200 7820 or visit nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/careers.

Jobcentre Plus

Finding a job
Search for full-time and part-time jobs in England, Scotland and Wales, and apply online, through GOV.UK's Find a job service. If you're claiming benefits, your work coach can help with your job search, training and applications. Northern Ireland has its own service, linked from the same page.

Benefits
Use a benefits calculator to see what you could get. You can apply for Universal Credit online; if you can't, call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 (Welsh language: 0800 328 1744), Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. You may also be able to get New Style Jobseeker's Allowance if you've usually paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions in the last two tax years, and you can claim it online.

If you can't apply online for New Style JSA, call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688 (Welsh language: 0800 012 1888), Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. If you can't hear or speak on the phone, use Relay UK: dial 18001 then 0800 055 6688. A British Sign Language video relay service is also available. In Northern Ireland, contact the Jobseeker's Allowance Processing Centre. Check current numbers and other ways to contact Jobcentre Plus at gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus.

Armed Forces Champions
Every Jobcentre Plus district has an Armed Forces Champion, supporting veterans, Service leavers, serving personnel in resettlement, and their spouses and civil partners. Champions help staff understand the needs of the Armed Forces community and can help resolve complex cases. They aren't always based in the jobcentre, so raise any issue through your work coach, your local Jobcentre Plus office or your Universal Credit online account.