Fees and eligibility

Eligibility

All lifelong learning courses are for people aged 19 years and over.

You must also have lived in the UK for a minimum period which will differ depending on, for example, whether you are a UK national or from inside or outside the EEA (please speak to a member of staff if you have any queries about your eligibility).

Fees

Course fees can be made up of a basic course fee and, where applicable, an examination or assessment fee and a materials fee.

Course fees and exam/accreditation fees

Courses with a qualification (accredited courses) have an examination or accreditation fee. This fee is included in the course fee for the majority of courses. Where there are separate examination charges you will pay for these during the course.

You will not able to enrol onto any accredited courses unless you intend to achieve the award and complete the course. This is a requirement of our external funding agreement with the Skills Funding Agency. There is a wide range of courses on offer if you don't want a qualification.

Concessions

Learners entitled to a concessionary rate do not pay any fees for qualification courses that are funded by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and pay reduced fees for non-qualification SFA-funded courses.  

If you are in receipt of a benefit, proof of this must be shown when you enrol for your course (please bring original documents as we are unable to accept photocopies).

Circumstances that qualify for a concessionary rate on qualification courses with a code beginning with the letter V

You can qualify for a concessionary rate if you are:

• In receipt of Job Seekers Allowance
• In receipt of Employment and Support Allowance (work-related activity only)
• Studying a Skills For Life course
• Studying an Entry Level, Level 1, 2 or 3 course (not ESOL) without having already obtained a Full level 2. (Full level 2 equates to GCSE level A - C)
• Aged 19 to 24 and are studying a Full Level 3 course without having already obtained a Full Level 3.

If you are unemployed and claiming any of the following benefits you can qualify for the concessionary rate if you wish to enter into employment and you are enrolling for a course that will help you to do so.

• Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit (excluding Single Person Discount)
• Working Tax Credit with a household income of less than £15,276
• Income Support
• Pension Guarantee Credit (Saving Credit only is not eligible)
• Asylum Seeker claiming Asylum Support assistance

If you have difficulty paying the course fees and are on a low income you can apply to the Discretionary Learner Support Fund for financial assistance when you enrol.

Circumstances that qualify for a concessionary rate on courses with a code beginning with the letter C (that are funded by the Skills Funding Agency).

You will pay a reduced fee if you receive one or more of the following benefits:

• Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit (excluding Single Person Discount)
• Income Support
• Job Seekers Allowance
• Working Tax Credit with a household income of less than £15,276 per year (Child Tax Credit is not eligible)
• Pension Guarantee Credit (Saving Credit only is not eligible)
• Employment and Support Allowance (work-related only)
• Unwaged dependant of someone in receipt of the above benefits (provide your original award notice at enrolment)
• Asylum Seeker receiving Asylum Support assistance.

If you have difficulty paying the course fees and are on a low income you can apply to the Non-vocational Support Fund for financial assistance when you enrol.

Books and equipment

You may need stationery, textbooks or other materials for some subjects.

Please refer to the course information sheet or ask your tutor at your first class before buying any items.

You may be able to borrow books from the library.

Pay for your course

Your place on a course is not secure until payment has been made.

In full:

You can pay for your course in full when you enrol.

By instalments:

If your total fee amounts to £50 or more, we can accept payment in three equal instalments over three consecutive months.  Please ask staff for details.

By phone:

You will be able to pay over the phone (by credit/debit card only) if your course does not require a skills-check or interview and if you are paying the full fee.

Please ring any learning centre.

By employer:

If your employer is paying for your course you must provide a letter of confirmation on letter-headed paper from your employer.

We will send them an invoice.

Refunds

Normally we only give a refund if your class closes or if you give advance notice before the course start date that you will not be taking up your place on a course.  Other requests for refunds will be considered in exceptional circumstances.  There is more information on this in the Policy and Procedure for Refund of Fees.

Although we will do our best to provide our courses and services as published, we may need to alter, postpone or cancel courses or services or any aspects of them without incurring liability. For example, a course may close because of low numbers. We make every effort to find a suitable alternative for you should this happen.

There are no refunds if you do not attend your class.