What is a lifelong learning network?

Lifelong Learning Networks are government-funded initiatives which aim to help vocational learners of all ages to progress into higher education.

What is a vocational learner?

Vocational learners are usually people who are studying for, or have, qualifications other than A levels, for example, BTECs or NVQs. They may be people who have no recognised qualifications, but have learned from experience on the job. 

What is higher education?

Higher education is the sort of education offered at Universities and Colleges of Higher Education. It usually (but not always) leads to a degree or to a higher degree (such as a Master’s degree). Universities today often offer short courses which might lead to a qualification, or to gaining credit, which is a way of counting your education’s length and level.

What is SELLLN?

SELLLN is the South East London Lifelong Learning Network. One of 30 Lifelong Learning Networks to cover England, it is a partnership organisation made up of 4 universities and 6 colleges. Other organisations with an interest in our activities also contribute to our work, and these include exam bodies, sector skills councils and employers.

What is a progression agreement?

A progression agreement is a document which specifies what a learner needs to do to be considered for a place on a particular programme. It needs at least two partners – one that provides the vocational learners and one that will provide progression to a higher level of learning. For example, a progression agreement could be between an FE college providing a BTEC National Art and Design, and a university degree programme in Art and Design. Or, it could be between an accountancy company’s training department and a foundation degree in accounting.

How can I get involved?

If you would like to know more, or would like to get involved, call Tracy Holtham, our office administrator, on 0207 848 4541.

I am an employer. What’s in it for me?

We want to work with you. SELLLN can work with employers to match your employees' training needs with the best that our partner colleges and universities have to offer.

If there is nothing that closely matches your requirements, we can work with you and our partners to create new programmes. We are developing arrangements to optimise movement between working and learning, .

We will help our partners to recognise the investment you have already made in work-based training and ensure that programmes you develop with us serve to stretch and expand your employees’ skills – along with your business.

Call us on 0207 848 4541, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

I work in further education. What’s in it for me?

We want to work with you. SELLLN works with FE staff to develop progression from FE to HE, including supporting extra-curricular experiences where this is likely to increase the chances of learners progressing into - and successfully completing -  programmes in higher education.

We also work with Information, Advice and Guidance colleagues, usually via project investment, to enhance and extend their services.

Where progression programmes are not meeting the needs of your students, or if there is a gap in the offer for your students, we will help our partners to develop new programmes, particularly foundation degrees.

We are also keen to hear about any innovative solutions to barriers which prevent learners from aspiring to, and achieving in further education. Call us on 0207 848 4541, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

I work in higher education. What’s in it for me?

We want to work with you. SELLLN works with HE staff to develop progression from FE to HE, including supporting extra-curricular experiences where this is likely to increase the chances of learners progressing into - and successfully completing - programmes in higher education.

When learners lack HE preparedness, or if there is a gap in the offer for learners, we will help our partners to develop new programmes, particularly foundation degrees.

We also work with Information, Advice and Guidance colleagues, usually via project investment, to enhance and extend their services.

We are also keen to hear about any innovative solutions to barriers which prevent learners from aspiring to, and achieving in further education. Call us on 0207 848 4541, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Will it cost me anything get SELLLN to help me?

SELLLN is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. We do not charge for our services – in fact we financially support many of the initiatives we’re involved with. SELLLN is funded until December 2009. 

Have a look at some of the funding opportunities we facilitate.