Tuition fees depend on the length and type of course and are payable in full at enrolment or by instalment (conditions apply). You are also required to pay any registration, exam and materials fees in full when you enrol. For specific fees please refer to the online course guide or our printed guide.

Incidental materials costs

Wherever possible, materials costs have already been included in the course fees, but there may be occasions when you need to provide incidental materials, particularly in relation to creative courses and workshops. These are dependent on the work undertaken and could range from photographic film to ingredients for hobby and leisure cookery workshops.

Other additional costs

There may be additional charges for activities, such as day and overnight trips, but these will be specific to individual courses.

Please note: some courses last more than one year. You are advised to check before enrolling as additional fees are payable in year two.

Remission of fees

You will be entitled to 100% course fee remission for either a full-time or part-time course, unless the course is full cost, and will not be charged for registration or examination fees or the discounted fee if you meet one of the following criteria:

• you are aged between 16-19 years of age by 31st August 2011.
• you are studying Foundation Learning (Entry & Level 1) excluding Skills for Life and have not attained a Level 2 and need the additional step in order to progress to Level 2.
• you will be studying your first full Level 2 qualification
• you are 19-24 years old and will be studying your first full Level 3 qualification
• you are taking a full Level 3 without having a full Level 2 qualification
• you will be studying your first full Level 3 qualification and have left the British Armed Forces after completing 4 or more years of service or have been medically discharged, due to an injury in active service, after completing basic training. This can be up to 10 years after leaving the British Armed Forces.
• you will be studying aims that are Adult Basic Skills and Functional Skills in literacy and numeracy, excluding ESOL.
• your are on Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) (including the partner where the claim is joint) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA) in the Work Related Activity Group.

You will be entitled to 100% course fee remission for either full-time or part-time courses (unless the course is full cost) if you are in receipt of the following benefits and sign a self-declaration form that you are actively seeking work.

• Income Support
• Incapacity Benefit (not in work)
• Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
• or you are a Dependant Learner who does not work, whose partner is in receipt of Working Tax Credits, whose names appear on the documentation.

If you are in receipt of these benefits and enrolling on full-time Access to HE, Fresh Start or ESOL course a fee of £25 will be payable. For part-time students on these courses you will be charged a discounted fee for registration, exam and material costs.

Full-cost course

There is no reduction in fees on full-cost courses.

Refunds

Course fees will be refunded if the college closes a class and no suitable alternative is offered.

If you withdraw at any time after enrolment, a minimum administration fee of £10 will be held back from your refund. If you withdraw during the first term or first third of the course, this will rise to 30% of the fee paid. Thereafter, no refund will be payable. If you feel there are special circumstances then you may appeal against this decision.

You must complete a refund form to claim back fees if you leave the course yourself.

Paying by instalments

You may be able to pay fees over £100 in instalments. The minimum instalment is £50 and the first instalment must be paid at the time of enrolment. Final instalments must be paid six weeks before your course finishes.

Please ask at any college reception or call our FREE helpline on 0808 100 3626 for more information.

Struggling to pay?

The college is committed to doing everything it can for students to allow them to attend college free from financial worries.

The Government have made additional funding available to colleges to support students who have difficulty in attending because of financial considerations.

This fund has been used to provide a Hardship Fund for students to access.

Hardship Fund

Any student regardless of their age or course they are studying can access the Hardship Fund; evidence will need to be provided to show that your household income is £15,276 or below or that you are in exceptional hardship circumstances.

Other financial support is also available.

Ask the Student Financial Support team for advice about funding options you may have access to through the college. There are funds in place to help with any additional costs your course may bring. All funds are limited and subject to eligibility criteria.

To discuss your eligibility or to request an application form please contact the Student Financial Support Team on 01623 627191 ext 8256 or 8179 or email studentfinaicalsupport@wnc.ac.uk

For further information please download our student finance booklet.