Education

The 2025 course programme is here!

Whether you’re a new activist looking for training, an experienced rep seeking refresher or advanced courses, or a newly elected branch officer, we’ve got you covered—all in one place.

View the 2025 course programme


Further learning

UNISON has a proud history of providing high quality learning opportunities for our members. We work with trusted national institutions like The Open University and the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) and a host of local providers, and we also deliver informal learning in-house. Whether you’re already a keen learner, or just beginning to explore the possibilities, and whatever your reasons for wanting to learn, UNISON can help.

Learn for your career 

Learn for your own personal fulfilment

Get a new job

Improve your English, maths or digital skills 

Get into formal or academic study 

Get involved as a Union Learning Rep

Get financial support for learning 

Get careers advice and guidance 


The Jenny Nyman Education Bursary

We are proud to introduce an education bursary that supports lower-paid women members in achieving their personal and professional growth by assisting with the costs of accredited courses.

This opportunity is made possible by a generous legacy gift from Jenny Nyman, a dedicated UNISON member.

Jenny Nyman was a working class woman from the east end of London who achieved a great deal – a university education and a professional job. As a lifelong trade union activist (in NALGO and later UNISON), she wanted to help other working-class women access the same opportunities she had and saw education as the key to this. 

We hope this bursary provides you with the opportunity to take the next step with your education: whether it’s returning to education after leaving school early or gaining a qualification you’ve always dreamed of, we hope it will serve as a stepping stone for personal development, advancing your career, working life or becoming more active within UNISON.

Find out more

Apply online 

Download the leaflet