Fees | Adult Learning and Skills

Before becoming a student at West Notts College, you may have tuition fees to pay. Find out how to pay, and whether you’re eligible for fee exemption.

What are tuition fees?

Tuition fees cover the full cost of your course, including exams, course materials, and registration.

Some qualifications may have additional fees payable directly to the professional awarding body. These are not included in the tuition fee and may need to be paid after enrolment.

Fees vary depending on the length and type of course and can be paid in full at enrolment, in instalments, or with a student loan.

In some cases, tuition fees may be waived. Please see our fee exemptions table below for more information.

Students aged 16-18

How much will a full-time course cost?

Tuition is free for all 16–18-year-old students on a full-time further education (FE) course.
There are no examination or registration fees for students aged 18 or under (on 31 August) before the start of the course, except in certain cases (for example, re-sitting exams).
How much will a part-time course cost?

Many part-time courses are free for students aged 18 or under (on 31 August) before the start of the course. Please contact us for specific information.
Are there any additional course costs?

Some courses may have extra costs, such as travel for work or industry placements, mandatory uniforms, equipment, or trips. Financial support may be available to help cover these costs.

Adults aged 19+

Unless stated otherwise, the course fees shown include both tuition and examination fees for the current academic year only. A separate fee is charged for each academic year, which must be paid before the start of the new year. Additional examination fees may apply in certain circumstances, such as re-sitting exams. For courses lasting two or three years, fees are paid one year at a time.

Courses up to Level 2

If you are aged 19 or over (on 31 August 2025) on your first day at college and studying a full-time qualification up to Level 2, you will be required to pay a fixed tuition fee of £525.
If you are aged 19–23 (on 31 August 2025) and studying your first Level 2 course, the tuition fee may be waived. Please see our fee exemptions table below for more information.
Level 3 courses
If you are aged 19 or over (on 31 August 2025) and studying a Level 3* course, the full tuition fee applies. The tuition fee may be waived if you meet the following:
- You are studying your first Level 3* course, and
- Your annual income is less than £33,796.80 and you live in the EMCCA area (Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire), or
- Your annual income is less than £25,750, you live outside the EMCCA area, are economically inactive**, and actively seeking work.
Please see our fee exemptions table below for more information.
Are there any additional course costs?

Wherever possible, material costs are included in tuition fees. However, some courses particularly creative courses and workshops, may require you to purchase extra materials depending on the work undertaken.
Additional costs may also arise for activities such as day trips, residential visits, or licencing requirements, specific to individual courses.

Payment of tuition fees

Instalments

You may be able to pay tuition fees over £175 in instalments if your course lasts more than three months (13+ weeks) and you can provide valid identification and bank account details.

Instalments are paid via direct debit and you must sign the direct debit instruction at enrolment.

Tuition fees from £175 to £1,000

You can pay in four instalments:

25% of the tuition fee at enrolment
Three further monthly payments until the balance is fully paid.

Tuition fees over £1,000

You can pay in four instalments:

25% of the tuition fee at enrolment
Three further bi-monthly payments until the balance is fully paid.

Employer sponsorship

If your employer wishes to pay your tuition fees, you will need to provide either a purchase order or, if the company does not issue purchase orders, a letter on headed paper at enrolment. The letter should confirm the costs covered at the start of each academic year and include:

Name of the student(s)
Course details
Amount of fees
Confirmation that the employer is funding the course

Tuition fees must be paid in full within 30 days of the invoice date. Students remain responsible for the full payment of their course fees, regardless of the payment method used.

Refunds and withdrawals

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

For students aged 19+ who withdraw from a course the following will apply:

Criteria	Entitlement
Course not started	Full refund
Attended 4 weeks or less	Full refund minus a £30 administration charge
Attended over 4 weeks but completed less than 50% of the course	50% refund
Completed more than 50% of the course	No refund

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

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 college’s Director of Finance.

Non-refundable registration or professional membership fees
If a non-refundable registration or professional membership fee is required for the course, and this fee is essential to cover administrative costs and reserve your place, please be advised of the following:
- Registration/professional membership fee payment: The registration or professional membership fee is included in the price of the course and must be paid in full at the time of registration. This fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, including, but not limited to, cancellation, withdrawal, or failure to attend.
- Significant loss: In the event of significant loss due to unforeseen circumstances, such as cancellation of the event or course by the organisers, we will make reasonable efforts to offer alternatives or rescheduling options. However, the registration/professional membership fee remains non-refundable.
- Cancellation by participant: Should you choose to cancel your registration or fail to attend, the registration/professional membership fee will not be refunded.
- Force majeure: In cases of extraordinary events beyond the control of the organisers (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics), the registration/professional membership fee remains non-refundable unless otherwise determined by the organisers in specific situations.

Fee exemptions

Please note – the following applies for academic year 2025/2026 only and is subject to change for academic year 2026/2027.

Qualification type	Eligibility criteria	What we require
All qualifications as part of Department for Education’s Statutory Education.	Aged 16-18 (as of 31 August)	Provide eligible proof of date of birth.
English and maths qualifications up to and including Level 2 (ESFA Legal Entitlement).	Aged 19+ (as of 31 August)	Enrol on an eligible course.
Qualifications up to and including Level 2 and eligible Level 3*	Aged 19+ (as of 31 August) Unemployed, employed and self-employed learners studying courses with an annual income less than £25,750 OR those who are economically inactive** but seeking work.	Enrol on an eligible course and sign a self-declaration.
English courses for ESOL learners up to and including Level 2	Aged 19+ (as of 31 August) Annual income less than £25,750 OR those who are economically inactive** but seeking work.	Provide evidence of annual income. If economically inactive** then you must sign a self-declaration.
Level 2 qualifications under Legal Entitlement	19-23 (as of 31 August) Not already achieved a full Level 2.	Enrol on an eligible course and provide eligible proof of date of birth.
Level 3* qualifications under Legal Entitlement	19-23 (as of 31 August) Not already achieved a full Level 3.	Enrol on an eligible course and provide eligible proof of date of birth.
Level 3* qualifications under Free courses for jobs	19+ (as of 31 August) Annual income less than £25,750 OR those who are economically inactive** but seeking work and live outside of the EMCCA (Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire) areas. If living inside of EMCCA area, then your annual income must be less than £33,796.80.	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	19+ (as of 31 August) Digital skills assessed at below Level 1.	Enrol on an eligible course.
Free online courses	19+ (as of 31 August) Lived in the UK for the last 3 years. Must live in England and not live in the locations listed below: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Greater London Authority Greater Manchester Combined Authority Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland Combined Authority South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Tees Valley Combined Authority West Midlands Combined Authority West of England Combined Authority	Enrol on an eligible course Provide proof of age and UK residency for the last 3 years Confirm your postcode to show you do not live in the excluded areas listed