Start your own business

Do you have a business idea? Are you 19-plus? Can you commit to five full days (one day per week) of a course? Do you have access to the internet? Then the Start Your Own Business Course is for you!

Startups and self-employment are critical to the economy. The Start Your Own Business is a free, interactive, online course for adults interested in setting up their own business and would like support in getting started.

Over five days, discover everything from how to bring your idea to life through to how to make your pitch, marketing, cashflow forecasting and finance, networking and selling.

Designed and delivered by entrepreneurs, this course provides the practical steps, advice and resources to help new businesses succeed.

Choose a date that works best for you and enrol now!

Eligibility requirements

Please have your residency documents ready, such as a passport, EU citizen ID card, UK birth certificate or Biometric Card.

If you have been in the UK for less than three years or have entered the UK with a visa, you will need to provide evidence that you are eligible to study in the UK – your visa, your biometric card that covers the duration of your course or any relevant Home Office documents to support your residency should all be provided.

If you're an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, we will need to see evidence of 'Pre-Settled' or 'Settled-status' documents.

For funding purposes, please provide payslips if you're employed (from the last three months). If you are receiving benefits (e.g., JSA, ESA, Universal Credit (UC), Housing benefits, etc.), please provide evidence of this.