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Fees for adult learners

Before starting as an adult learner, you may have tuition fees to pay. Find out about fee exemptions, how to pay, and whether you’re eligible for financial support.

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Personalised advice on paying for tuition fees

Returning to education can feel overwhelming especially with the financial aspect of course fees.

Don't let these concerns be a barrier! Take the next step by completing our online enquiry form. Our friendly team will be in touch to explore all the options available to you.

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Tuition fees

Tuition fees are an all-inclusive cost (exams, course materials and registration fees).

However, some industry recognised qualifications may require additional fees that have to be paid directly to the professional awarding body. These are not included in the tuition fee and you may be required to pay these fees after you enrol.

Tuition fees differ depending on the length and type of course you study and are payable either in full at enrolment, by instalments (conditions apply) or through a student loan.

Some tuition fees may be waived, please see table below for details on the fee exemption criteria.

Fees for courses up to Level 2
If you are aged 19+ (on 31 August 2023) and undertaking a full-time qualification up to and including a Level 2, you will be required to pay a fixed tuition fee of £500.

If you are studying your first Level 2 course
- Aged 19-23 - The tuition fee may be waived depending on the course.
Please see table below to check if you are eligible for fee remission.
Fees for Level 3 courses
If you are studying a Level 3 course and are aged 19+ on your first day at college, you will be required to pay the full tuition fee.

If you are studying your first Level 3 course
- Aged 19-23 - The tuition fee may be waived depending on the course.
- Aged 24+ - There are only a few courses where the tuition fee may be waived dependant on your annual income. Please contact us for more information 0808 100 3626.
Please see table below to check if you are eligible for fee remission.
Additional costs

Wherever possible, materials costs have already been included in the tuition fees, but there may be occasions when you need to purchase additional materials, particularly in relation to creative courses and workshops. These are dependent on the work undertaken.

There may also be additional costs for activities such as day trips and residentials and licencing requirements which will be specific to individual courses.

2024/2025

Exemption criteria	Student age	What you will need to do
All programmes as part of statutory education.	Students under 19 (as of 31/08/2024).	Provide eligible proof of date of birth.
Students undertaking English and maths courses up to and including Level 2 as part of their legal entitlement.	Adults aged 19+.	Enrol on an eligible course.
Employed or unemployed adults claiming eligible benefits choosing to study courses up to and including level 2 and eligible level 3* courses. If employed and your take-home pay (disregarding benefit payments) is less than £892 a month (learner is sole adult in their benefit claim) or £1437 a month (learner has a joint benefit claim with their partner).	Adults aged 19+.	Enrol on an eligible course and sign a self-declaration.
Adults who earn below £25,000 annual gross income choosing to study courses up to and including level 2 and eligible level 3* courses.	Adults aged 19+.	Enrol on an eligible course and provide evidence of annual income.
Adults who are economically inactive** but seeking work choosing to study courses up to and including level 2 and eligible level 3* courses.	Adults aged 19+.	Enrol on an eligible course and sign a self-declaration.
Those studying ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) up to and including level 2 with an annual income less than £25,000 and those who are economically inactive** but seeking work.	Adults aged 19+.	Provide evidence of annual income. If economically inactive** then you must sign a self-declaration.
Level 2 Legal Entitlement qualifications if your prior achievement is less than a full level 2.	Adults aged 19-23 (as of 31/08/2024).	Enrol on an eligible course and provide eligible proof of date of birth.
Level 3* Legal Entitlement qualifications if your prior achievement is less than a full level 3.	Adults aged 19-23 (as of 31/08/2024).	Enrol on an eligible course and provide eligible proof of date of birth.
Level 3* 'Free Courses For Jobs' qualifications if your annual income is less than £25,000 and those who are economically inactive** but seeking work or claiming eligible benefits.	Adults aged 19+.	Provide evidence of annual income. If economically inactive** or claiming eligible benefits then you must sign a self-declaration.
Essential Digital Skills Qualifications (EDSQs) OR digital Functional Skills Qualifications (FSQs), up to and including level 1, for students who have digital skills assessed at below level 1.	Adults aged 19+.	Enrol on an eligible course.

* Not all Level 3 qualifications are eligible for this exemption. Please contact us for more information 0808 100 3626.

**Economically inactive people are those who are neither employed nor claiming benefits but are wanting to gain employment.

Payment of tuition fees in instalments

You may be able to pay tuition fees over £175 in instalments provided that the course lasts for more than three months and you can provide relevant identification and valid bank account details.

Instalments must be paid for via direct debit. You must sign the direct debit instruction at enrolment.

Tuition fees over £175 and up to £1,000
You may be able to pay by 4 instalments. 25% of the tuition fee must be paid at enrolment, with a further 3 monthly payments until the debt is settled.

Tuition fees over £1,000
You may be able to pay by 4 instalments. 25% of the tuition fee must be paid at enrolment, with a further 3 bi-monthly payments until the debt is settled.

Sponsor paying
If your employer wishes to pay your Course fees, when you enrol you will need to provide a purchase order or if the company does not do purchase orders a letter on headed paper detailing the costs covered at the start of each academic year of study. Details to be provided are:

Name of student(s)
Course details
Amount of fees
Agreement that they are funding the course.

Full tuition fees must be paid 30 days from date of invoice.

Withdrawals and refund of tuition fees

If the college cancels a course we will contact you and refund the full costs paid by you.

For further education students who withdraw from full-time courses the following will apply:

Withdrawal criteria	Entitlement
Have not started the course	Full refund
Have completed less than 50% but more than 4 weeks	50% of the fee will be refunded
Have completed more than 50% of the course	No refund will be due

Exceptions to the policy for the amount of fees liable by the student in the event of withdrawal will only be made on production of a medical certificate which evidences the inability of you to complete your studies.

Further Education students who withdraw from short courses will not be entitled to a refund of tuition fees other than in exceptional circumstances and with the approval of the Director of Finance.