Course fee information

Course fees are based on current funding rates and often change from year to year.

Below is a guide to what you may be expected to pay for your Further Education or Higher Education course, and the options available to help with your costs if you are permanently resident in the UK.

Please contact the Enrolment Centre on 0300 123 2344 for the latest information and advice, or if you have moved to the UK within the last three years.

Students under 19 years

If you are aged 16-18 on 31 August and are studying on a full-time or part-time Further Education course, you do not pay tuition or examination fees but you may be expected to pay for trips, materials, equipment and uniform. Financial support for these costs may be available through the College bursary scheme.

Adults aged 19 or over

If you are aged 19+ at the start of a Further Education course, you may have to pay fees but there may be exemptions. There are often no tuition fees for:

Those earning up to £25,000 per annum (including the self-employed) on eligible courses.
Unemployed students in receipt of a qualifying means-tested benefit at the start of an eligible course.
Students aged 19-23 at the start of an eligible first full Level 3 course who do not already have a qualification at that or a higher level.
Students aged 19-23 at the start of an eligible first full level 2 course who do not already have a qualification at that or a higher level.
Students aged 19-23 at the start of an eligible entry Level or Level 1 course who intend to progress to a level 2 course.
Qualifications in Maths or English, including GCSEs and Functional Skills, for students who have not previously attained a GCSE grade A*- C or grade 4 or above.
Full-time Level 1 and Level 2 funded courses.

All adults are expected to pay for associated trips, materials, equipment, uniform costs and awarding body fees but concessions or financial support may be available.

Contact the Enrolment Centre on 0300 123 2344 for the latest information and advice.

Adult Skills Funding/Free Courses for Jobs Funding

If you are aged 19+ at the start of a Level 3 Further Education course there may be a fee exemption:

Students aged 19+ at the start of an eligible first full Level 3 course who do not already have a qualification at that or a higher level.
Students aged 19+ at the start of an eligible Level 3 course where they already have achieved a Level 3 course and are unemployed and in receipt of a benefit or working and earning less than £25,000

Please note that not all Level 3 courses are eligible for the above fee exemption, please contact the Enrolment Centre on 0300 123 2344 for the latest information and advice.

Advanced Learner Loans

For approved qualifications at a higher level (Level 3 and above), you may be entitled to take out an Advanced Learner Loan to help pay your course fees.