Investing in your education doesn't have to cost the earth!
We are committed to providing affordable courses and our 'open pricing policy' means the price you see is the price you pay. Our fees include all tuition, exam, residential and registration costs; the only extras you may need to pay will be for course materials, equipment or books.
Many financial packages are available to help lower the cost of learning too, and depending on your circumstances courses may be free or available at reduced prices.
Free English & Maths Courses
Our GCSE English and Maths courses are FREE to anyone without a GCSE English or Maths qualification at Grade A*-C.
If you'd like to improve your job and pay prospects; brush up on reading writing or maths; help your children with their homework; or simply increase your confidence, we also offer a range of FREE English and Maths 'Essential Skills' courses. Please call us on 01772 642040 for details.
Free Courses
All courses leading to a qualification up to and including Level 2 – including ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) – are FREE if you are:
- in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA).
- in receipt of Employment Support Allowance (ESA) in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG).
- in receipt of Universal Credit.
- unemployed (ie not in paid employment or self-employed), actively looking for work, in receipt of certain state benefits and the course you wish to study will provide you with the necessary skills and abilities to seek employment.
If you are aged 19-23 and in receipt of any of the above, Level 3 courses are also FREE.
Please note: if you wish to study an AAT course, you will still need to pay an AAT membership fee.
Free full Level 2 & 3 Qualifications
If you are aged 19-23 and studying either your first full Level 2 or first full Level 3 qualification, courses are FREE. (Please note: if you wish to study an AAT course,you will still need to pay an AAT membership fee).
A full Level 2 qualification is equivalent to:
- GCSE / O Level (5 or more at Grades A*-C)
- CSE Grade 1 (5 or more)
- 1 Advanced Level
- 2-3 AS Levels
- the Higher Diploma (equivalent to 7 GCSEs at Grades A*-C)
- GNVQ Intermediate
- NVQ Level 2
A full Level 3 qualification is equivalent to:
- A Levels (2 or more advanced level passes)
- 4 or more AS Levels
- AVCE Double Award
- the Advanced Diploma (equivalent to 3.5 A Levels)
- GNVQ Advanced
- NVQ Level 3
- QAA recognised Access to Higher Education
24+ Advanced Learning Loan
Aged 24 or over and thinking about studying a further education course at Level 3 or Level 4?
If you're starting a course on or after 1 August 2013 you may qualify for a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan to help you pay your course fees. Most learners aged 24 and over, studying at Level 3 or 4, will qualify for these new loans from the UK government.
Getting a loan doesn't depend on your household income and credit checks aren't carried out. It's easy to apply, there's no upper age limit and previously achieved qualifications won't affect your ability to take out your first loan*.
You won't have to pay any course fees upfront and loan repayments are linked to what you earn when you've finished your course, not how much you borrowed. You won't have to pay anything back until you are earning more than £21,000 a year (which is £404 a week and £1,750 a month).
Interest rates will be lower than anything available on the high street plus any outstanding balance is written off after 30 years!
Click on the link below to find out more about how a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan can help.
24+ Advanced Learning Loan Factsheets (1.84 MB)
*Once you've received a loan to undertake a course you won't be able to take out another loan to do the same type of course at the same level. You will however, be able to take out further loans to complete different types or levels of eligible courses.
Eligibility Tool for 24+ Advanced Learning Loan
Repayment Calculator for 24+ Advanced Learning Loan
Key Facts Video for 24+ Advanced Learning Loan
Payment by Instalment
If your course fees are £150 or over, you may choose to pay by instalment. This will involve the payment of a deposit, followed by up to three Direct Debit payments (depending upon the price of your course). Please contact Course Enquiries on 01772 642040 (email:
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) for further details.
Care to Learn
If you're a young parent aged under 20, 'Care to Learn' could pay up to £160 per child per week towards registered childcare while you learn. To find out more, visit the 'Care to Learn' website at www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn
Professional & Career Development Loans (PCDLs)
A PCDL is a bank loan specifically aimed at providing support for individuals aged 18 years or over, who wish to take part in work related learning. You will be able to borrow from £300 to £10,000 to help with the cost of learning. For more details call the Student Advice Centre on 01772 643020.
Learner Support Funds (LSF)
Learner Support Funds are used to assist students who have difficulty in joining, staying on and completing their course because of financial hardship. All applications are assessed to find those students who are most in need of help. For more details call the Student Advice Centre on 01772 643020.
24+ Advanced Learning Loan Bursary Fund
This Bursary Fund is designed to help vulnerable students who have taken out a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan, such as those experiencing financial hardship, parents who may need help towards their childcare and those with learning difficulties or disabilities. All applications are assessed to find those students who are most in need of help. For more details call the Student Advice Centre on 01772 643020.
Need Advice?
If you would like more information on financial support, please contact our Student Advice Centre.
You can call into the Student Advice Centre at our Euxton Lane Campus (located within the main reception area) or contact an Adviser by phoning 01772 643020. The centre is open during the hours below when a drop in service is in operation. Booked appointments are also offered between 3pm and 5pm each day. To book an appointment visit the centre or phone 01772 643020 or 01772 642040.
Mon 9am – 3pm
Tue 10.30am – 3pm
Wed - Fri 9am – 3pm
It is your responsibility to thoroughly investigate whether you are eligible for financial support before you enrol. To receive student finance you must comply with nationality and residency conditions, age rules and previous study rules.
