This section tells you about the educational opportunities open to servicemen and women and their adult dependants, both within the United Kingdom and at overseas postings.

Education for servicemen and women and their adult dependants

The Army provides a range of opportunities for servicemen and women and their adult dependants to improve their education and gain new qualifications.

This page tells you about these, and gives brief information about the loans offered to finance studies, including links to other sites where more detailed information is available.

Note: The Army is not responsible for the content or reliability of external sites. Including a link to a site is not an endorsement. The Army has no control over the availability linked pages.

Army Learning Centres

The Army has Army Learning Centres in every barracks worldwide, linking servicemen and women and their adult dependants to outside colleges and universities. For example

• the Open University

• further education colleges, such as Darlington College of Technology Telematics Centre in Catterick Garrison

• the University for Industry's 'learndirect' system

Army Learning Centres are open to everyone with access to the barracks. 'Navigators' are on hand to help, advise and guide users to maximise the benefits of the centre. Navigators can also answer any queries from people thinking about restarting their learning.

For more information and advice on learning opportunities

• phone 0800 100 900

• go to the learndirect website

Career Development Loans

Career Development Loans are much the same as ordinary loans. The only difference is that you do not start paying off the loan until you finish training. You can apply for a Career Development Loan if your course counts as vocational training or education and lasts for 2 years (3 years if that includes a year's practical experience).

If you want an information pack about Career Development Loans

• ask at your local Jobcentre

• phone on freefone 0800 585 505

Useful information is also on the Lifelong Learning website

And the Department for Children, Schools and Families offer a free booklet called Money to learn - Financial help for Adults in Further Education and Training. It gives further advice on available funding. If you would like a copy

• phone 0845 602 2260

• go to the Department for Children, Schools and Families website

Lifelong learning advice for adults

A number of websites give advice and guidance to encourage lifelong learning or a change in career.

• for 13-19 year olds, go to the Connexions website

• for advice on qualifications, jobs or changes in careers, go to the Worktrain website