Tuition fees
Tuition fees depend on the length and type of course and are payable in full at enrolment or by instalment (conditions apply). The tuition fee includes other fees (exams, course materials and registration fees). However, additional exam or membership fees may be payable directly to professional awarding bodies for industry recognised qualifications. These fees are not included. 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 tuition fee, but there may be occasions when you need to provide additional materials, particularly in relation to creative courses and workshops. These are dependent on the work undertaken.
Other additional costs
There may be additional charges for activities such as day trips and residentials and for licencing requirements which will be specific to individual courses.
Course length
All tuition fees are for one year of study. Two-year courses will attract an additional fee in the second year of study.
Fee Exemption Criteria
All adults would normally have to pay course fees unless exempt under the following criteria.
| Exemption criteria | Student age | What you will need to do |
|---|
| All programmes as part of statutory education | Students under the age of 19 as at 31.8.16 | Provide eligible date of birth document |
| Unemployed adults undertaking learning aims up to and including Level 2, who are in receipt of JSA/ESA (in the Work Related Activity Group) | Adults aged 19+ | Enrol on an eligible course and sign a self declaration form |
| Unemployed adults undertaking learning aims up to and including Level 2, who are in receipt of Universal Credit, earn less than 16 times the National Minimum Wage hourly rate a week or £330 a month and are in one of the following: Work-Related Requirement Group; Work Preparation Group; Work-Focused Interview Group. | Adults aged 19+ | Enrol on an eligible course and sign a self declaration form |
| Unemployed adults undertaking learning aims up to and including Level 2, who are on wider benefits and need skills training to help them find employment | Adults aged 19+ | Enrol on an eligible course and sign a self declaration form |
| Adults undertaking learning aims up to and including Level 2, who are on wider benefits, earn less than 16 times the National Minimum Wage hourly rate a week or £330 a month and wish to progress to more sustainable employment. | Adults aged 19+ | Enrol on an eligible course, sign a self declaration form and provide proof of earnings |
| Students undertaking English and maths learning aims up to and including Level 2 as part of their legal entitlement | Adults aged 19+ | Enrol on an eligible course and sign a self declaration form |
| Students undertaking a first full Level 2 qualification or students undertaking Foundation Learning (pre-Level 2) to progress to Level 2 or above | Adults aged 19-23 on first day of learning | Enrol on an eligible course, sign a self declaration form and provide proof of age |
| Students undertaking a first full Level 3 qualification | Adults aged 19-23 on first day of learning | Enrol on an eligible course, sign a self declaration form and provide proof of age |
Full-cost course
There is no reduction in fees on full-cost courses.
Withdrawals and refund of fees
If the college cancels a course it will contact you and refund the full costs paid by you.
If you withdraw from a course BEFORE the start date of the course, you will be entitled to a refund of all amounts paid, less an administration fee of £25.
Refunds will only be made upon receipt of a valid refund application form except for refunds due following the college's decision to cancel a course of study.
If you withdraw from a course AFTER the course start date or do not attend the course on which you have enrolled there will be no refund of payments made unless you have withdrawn due to a serious medical condition (medical certificate required as evidence).
A proportionate refund of tuition fees will then be made (based on the proportion of the course attended), on application to the Finance Department.
Paying by instalments
You may be able to pay fees over £300 in instalments provided that the course lasts for more than three months and you can provide relevant identification and valid bank account details. 25% of the tuition fee must be paid at the time of enrolment with a further three instalments on consecutive months following enrolment.
Please ask at any college reception or call our FREE helpline on 0808 100 3626 for more information.
19+ Financial Support for 2015/2016
You may be eligible to receive financial support from the 19+ Student Support Fund. You also qualify for this support if you are undertaking a Traineeship.
You should ask the Student Financial Support Team for advice and guidance about the criteria and application process in order to be considered for an award. All funds are limited and subject to eligibility criteria. Funds are based on an annual gross household income below £25,000 or below £30,000 with three or more dependent children aged 0-19 in full-time education in the household.
To discuss your eligibility or to request an application form please contact the Student Financial Support Team
Every effort is made to ensure accuracy of this information, however full details will be available at enrolment and induction.
For further information please download our student finance booklet.