Short Courses

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About this course

What are Short Courses?

ASDAN Short Courses are flexible, portfolio-based programmes for learners aged 13 and over. Covering a wide range of practical, personal development and curriculum topics, each course accredits between 10 and 60 hours of activity and skills development.

A growing selection of updated Short Courses is available through Equitas, ASDAN’s digital learning platform. Equitas brings course content, learner activities and progress tracking together, supporting flexible online, offline and blended delivery.

Through practical challenges, planning and reflection, learners build confidence, independence and transferable skills for learning, life and work. Short Courses are designed for learners working at Entry level 3 to Level 1 but can be adapted for those working above or below these levels.

Short Courses can be used across schools, colleges, alternative provision, EOTAS, youth justice, training providers and community settings.

Please note: Student books remain available for all Short Courses. The ASDAN e-portfolio is closed to new registrations, with access for existing registrations ending on 31 August 2026.

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Learner age 13+, 14+, 14–16, 14–25, 16+, 16–19, 19+, Adults
Education setting Mainstream school, Justice system (including youth offending), Further education, Community Education, EOTAS, PRU, Academy / Multi-academy trust, Voluntary sector, Training provider, Social services, Independent school, Adult education, Secondary
Guided learning hours 20–60 hours, 10–20 hours
Regulated Non-regulated course
Certification Externally certificated, digital or hard-copy (additional fee)
Location England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, International (including Channel Islands and Ireland)
UCAS points No UCAS points available
Available on Equitas Yes
Pathway Personal Effectiveness

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To teach this course you must be an ASDAN member.

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Helpful resources for getting started
Equitas information booklet
Equitas how to guide
Equitas guidance

Who is it for?

Short Courses are widely used in formal and non-formal settings, by 13-19 year olds. Because they are multi-level, the focus is on completing challenges and skills development according to individual ability, although learners are expected to be working at Entry level 3 to Level 1.

Course information

  • offers flexible, portfolio-based learning
  • can be adapted for learners working at different levels
  • accredits between 10 and 60 hours of activities and skills development
  • is assessed and internally moderated by the centre
  • can count as up to three of the credits needed to achieve ASDAN’s Personal Development Programmes
  • can support skills development for ASDAN’s Personal Effectiveness Qualifications
  • may contribute to recognition of prior learning where the required standards are met in full.

Equitas is ASDAN’s growing digital learning platform. A selection of updated Short Courses is available now, with further ASDAN courses and qualifications being added over time.

Equitas supports learners through the full cycle of planning, completing and reviewing their work. It also enables educators to manage delivery, monitor progress and celebrate achievement in one accessible platform.

Updated Short Courses on Equitas integrate ASDAN’s six core skills:

  • learning
  • communicating
  • decision making
  • thinking
  • team working
  • self-awareness.

These skills help learners recognise and evidence their development while building practical capabilities for learning, life and work.

Some Equitas Short Course challenges differ from the student books. We recommend choosing one format per learner group. Challenge copies from Equitas can also be downloaded..

Explore Equitas

ASDAN training supports educators to deliver our courses successfully. Sessions provide an introduction to the course alongside guidance on delivery, assessment and internal moderation.

Training is included as part of ASDAN membership for organisations joining or renewing after 1 April 2026, excluding tailored INSET.

Explore ASDAN training

Each learner completing a Short Course on Equitas needs their own registration and login.

Equitas registrations and student books are valid for three years from the date of purchase.

Item Price
Equitas registration for 1–9 learners* £12 per learner
Equitas registration for 10–19 learners* £8 per learner
Equitas registration for 20–29 learners* £6 per learner
Equitas registration for 30 or more learners* £4 per learner
Short Course student book £12 per learner
Short Course PDF certificate Free
Short Course printed and foiled certificate £3.75
Replacement certificate £15 plus postage

 

*Equitas volume pricing applies to new registrations purchased together in a single transaction for the same Short Course.

Explore the complete range of ASDAN Short Courses below

*RoadWise Short Course withdrawal

The RoadWise Short Course is being withdrawn. Registrations and student books remain available until 31 December 2026, with final certification available until 31 August 2027.

We will continue to support centres with registered learners, giving them sufficient time to complete the course.

Vocational Taster withdrawal

Vocational Taster registrations and student books will remain available until 31 December 2026. The final date for certification is 31 August 2027. ASDAN will continue to support centres with learners who are already registered.

If you are concerned about the impact of this change on your learners, please contact us

 

Products

Course resources

Evaluation chart (individual)

This evaluation chart can be used by learners to evaluate a six-week individual activity. Learners are asked to mark on the graph each week to show what they did and how they felt; at the end of the project the learner should join up the marks to give a picture of the whole activity. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.

Evaluation chart (group)

This evaluation chart can be used by learners to evaluate a six-week group activity. Each member of the group should choose a different colour and mark on the graph each week to show what they did and how they felt. At the end of the project, each group member then joins up their marks to give a picture of the whole activity. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.

Planning a group or team task

This resource can be used when planning a group or team task. It links particularly well to ASDAN's Short Course programmes.

Self-evaluation template

This generic self-evaluation template can be used by learners to evaluate almost any group activity. Learners are asked to record how they felt about the activity and pick out the best and worst bits, before reflecting on what they could do better next time. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.

Short Courses long term plan

Teamwork health check

This generic teamwork health check template can support a wide range of group activities. Learners are asked to come up with a list of agreed ground rules for good teamwork, then rate each group member's performance against these criteria. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.

Success stories

“ASDAN’s PSHE Short Course is varied, relevant and engaging. We love it!”

“We deliver ASDAN’s PSHE Short Course because it develops our pupils' life skills to make them the best possible version of themselves,” says Liz, PSHE Tutor at Oak Bank School in Bedfordshire

Animal therapy builds learners’ resilience and preparation for adulthood

Jayne Haigh, owner of an eco-friendly glamping site in East Yorkshire, tells us how animal-assisted therapy helps young people overcome trauma and improve their mental wellbeing, and why they use ASDAN’s Short Courses to accredit learners’ progression.

Students realise their potential through Gardening Short Course

“At Coal Clough Academy, we chose to deliver ASDAN’s Gardening Short Course because of its flexibility,” says Vikki Bishop, Vocational Lead at Coal Clough Academy,
Progression pathway
Key Steps
Short Courses
Personal Development Programmes
Personal Effectiveness Qualifications
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