Fees and Finances

Home Adult and Part-Time Courses Fees and Finance

UK students aged 19 and over will need to pay tuition fees as well as the relevant registration and exam fees. There are, however, exemptions if you are:

• Undertaking an accredited Basic Skills programme in literacy, numeracy or ESOL
• Receiving a means-tested benefit such as Job Seekers Allowance
• Undertaking a first full Level 2 or Level 3 qualification

There are several methods of funding for adult and part-time students; the most popular are detailed here. Further information is available on the:

Direct Gov website

The Adult Learner Grant (ALG)

Full-time learners aged 19 and over may qualify for an Adult Learner Grant (ALG) to help with the costs of studying. The grant pays up to £30 a week dependent upon your circumstances and the course you have chosen.

You could be eligible if you are:

• 19 years or older
• Studying for your first full level 2 or level 3 qualification
• Studying on a programme with more than 450 guided learning hours
• Earning less than a certain amount per tax year

An ALG could pay you £10, £20 or £30 per week, depending upon your income. To receive payment, you must attend all classes in full.

Adult Level 2 Entitlement

Students aged 19 and over on the first day of the course, who do not have a full Level 2 qualification, can enrol on a full Level 2 course free of charge.

A list of full Level 2 courses is shown below:

Academic Qualification Equivalent

• GSCE/O Level (5 or more Grades A-C)
• CSE Grade 1 (5 or more)
• 1 Advanced Level
• 2 or 3 AS Levels
• Advanced VCE
• Vocational Qualification Equivalent
• BEC General Certificate with Credit
• BEC Diploma with Credit
• BTEC First Diploma
• City and Guilds Higher Operative/ Craft
• GNVQ Intermediate
• Intermediate Construction Award
• LCCI Certificate (Second Level)
• NVQ Level 2
• PEI Stage 2
• Pitmans Intermediate Level 2 Diploma/Certificate
• RSA Diploma

Adult Level 3 Entitlement

Students aged over 19 but under 25 on the first day of the course, who do not have a full level 3 qualification, can enrol on a full level 3 course free of charge when attending the College. This does not apply to workplace delivery.

A list of full level 3 courses is shown below:

Academic Qualification Equivalent

• 2 or more A-level passes
• 4 or more AS Levels
• AVCE Double Award

Vocational Qualification Equivalent

• Advanced Construction Award
• BEC National ONC/OND
• BTEC National ONC/OND
• City and Guilds Advanced Craft
• GNVQ Advanced
• LCCI Diploma (Third Level)
• NVQ Level 3
• Pitmans Level 3 Advanced Higher Certificate
• RSA Stage 3 Advanced Diploma
• TEC Certificate/Diploma
• Access to Higher Education Certificate
• ESOL & Foreign Languages Advanced awards

Students must meet eligibility requirements and must be undertaking LSC funded courses to qualify.