Modular provision and the lifelong learning entitlement

We’re preparing to regulate providers who are offering higher education funded by the lifelong learning entitlement (LLE), and we’re updating our approach to monitoring modular provision to protect public funding and ensure high-quality provision.

This guide explains what the LLE means for how we monitor providers, the data that we collect, and what staff at providers should be doing to prepare for the new system.

Modular provision

Modular provision encompasses learning pathways in which higher education modules are offered as a standalone product or as a short course. Our regulation applies to any modular provision offered by registered providers, regardless of whether the specific modules are LLE-fundable.

We currently do not distinguish between modular pathways and traditional higher education provision in how we regulate providers, and we do not expect this to substantially change. However, as the LLE widens the funding available we expect to see an expansion and diversification of modular pathways, and we are currently working on ensuring that we are collecting suitable data to monitor this roll out.

The lifelong learning entitlement

The LLE will replace the current post-18 student finance system. From September 2026, learners will be able to apply for LLE funding for courses and modules starting from January 2027 onwards.

The LLE will enable individuals to learn, upskill and retrain across their working lives.

From its launch, the LLE loan will be available for:

• full courses at Levels 4 to 6, such as degrees, technical qualifications, and designated distance-learning and online courses
• modules of high-value technical courses at Levels 4 and 5, and modules from full Level 6 qualifications which align to priority skills needs and align to the government’s industrial strategy.

Under the LLE, eligible learners will be able to access:

• a tuition fee loan, with new learners able to access up to the full entitlement of £38,140 over their lives – equal to four years of study based on academic year 2025-26 fee rates
• a maintenance loan to cover living costs, for courses with in-person attendance.

The LLE is being implemented by the Student Loans Company (SLC) on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE). It does not directly affect how we at the OfS regulate providers, however we expect it to lead to an increase in the provision of modular learning pathways, and we are therefore making some adjustments to ensure we have effective and efficient oversight of these courses.