ESOL, English & Maths

As the building blocks of almost every single business, English and maths are essential life skills that will help you through life. Whichever career path you choose to follow, there’s no better place to study English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), English or maths than at The Manchester College – the No.1 Further Education College in Greater Manchester for Achievement*.

Our study programmes will help you develop your maths, speaking, reading, listening and writing skills whatever your level and help set you up for industry excellence in a huge range of careers.

*As per the latest Government National Achievement Rates Tables (NARTs)

Can you reach your potential? You can with us!

Make it possible today, view our range of ESOL, English and Maths courses and apply to study at the No.1 Further Education in Greater Manchester for achievement*.

Apply now

If English isn’t your native language, we offer ESOL study programmes for people of all ages, abilities and skills from Entry Level to Level 2.

Whether you’re aged 16-18 or 19+, our ESOL qualifications are designed to meet the needs of you as an individual. Many aspects can be tailored to your abilities and preferences, with each course helping you to prepare for progression to further or higher education or into employment.

You’ll benefit from ESOL topics that have real-world applications and develop the skills that will help you in any job or career. Our ESOL assessments can be project based, digital, paper-based or oral meaning that you’ll get the chance to practice your skills in a variety of ways.

Browse our courses

If you’ve not already achieved your GCSEs in English and/or maths then we can support you to study these, either alongside your chosen programme of study or prior to progressing on to employment or further study.

If you’re aged 16-18, or 19-25 with an Education Health and Care plan (EHC), and have not already achieved a grade 9-4 or Functional Skill Level 2 equivalent in maths or English, then you’ll study English and/or maths alongside your chosen full programme of study.

Achieving these qualifications is necessary for you to progress to further study, training and skilled employment and to support you in achieving your career goals.

If you or your son/daughter are aged 14-16 and are declared as home educated with your local authority, you are eligible for FREE formal teaching in English and Maths from The Manchester College.

Studied at home via remote learning or at our Shena Simon campus, these courses lead to a nationally recognised qualification and you’ll also receive access to free online learning materials as part of the course.

For more information and to apply visit our English and Maths 14-16 for Elected Home Educated Pupils course page.

Our ESOL programmes can be studied at our campuses around Greater Manchester, including Shena Simon and Harpurhey, while our English and maths GCSEs can be studied at all of our campuses.

Wherever you’re studying and whichever level you’re studying at, you’ll be using exceptional resources to support your learning and develop the skills that will help you on to industry excellence.

With a range of dedicated classrooms and learning environments across our campuses, you’ll benefit from our experienced and knowledgeable course tutors in each of our ESOL, English and maths courses.

The Manchester College is committed to ensuring all our students receive the support they may need to achieve and enjoy college. We do this in a number of different ways including:

  • Student Experience Support Team
  • Careers Employability & Welfare
  • Pastoral Support Officers
  • Supported Learning

We also offer a bespoke transition service to new applicants with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), accessibility or medical need.

Find out more about our student support offer:

Student support

Photo gallery

Irfan Khaliar

I plan to study to become a doctor and eventually a heart surgeon. I have a fervent interest in human biology and maths in particular. The study of the human heart has always been a passion of mine. My courses have been immensely helpful, especially the practicals. I plan to study at degree level and specialise in the study of the heart.

Irfan Khaliar • A level biology, chemistry, maths and physics
Reem Jihad Aourir

The English A level I did helped me build my English skills which made my understanding of many concepts easier and my writing more fluent, while media studies gave me a clear and wide picture of the media worldwide. I am now studying digital media and communication at Manchester Metropolitan University - first year, full-time.

Reem Jihad Aourir • A level English and Media Studies