Click on a heading below to find out more about course fees and to see if you qualify for any exemptions or financial support.
Fees
Fee Exemption and Concessions
Financial Support. Are you eligible?
Fees Valid from September 2007
Higher Education Programmes £3,070
Full time programmes tuition fees
(Further Education - Over 19) £1,100
Full time programmes exam fees
(Further Education - Over 19) vary with course
Part-time programmes fees as listed
Facilities Fee (ID Cards, Parking Permits, Registration Costs)
Part-time students £25
(Not payable by learners under 19 or for courses under 20 guided learning hours)
Full time students £40
(Voluntary for learners under 19)
This is a complex area and we can only include a summary here. To be eligible for fee exemption, you need to provide evidence of your entitlement e.g. copy of your birth certificate or proof of current benefit payment at enrolment. For full information contact us: 0800 0711 666.
FULL TIME COURSES
Full time and part time students on further education programmes are exempt from payment of all or part of your tuition fees if you meet one of the following criteria:
• Aged 16 - 18 on September 1st at the start of their programme
• Receiving income-based benefits:
Unemployed, with income-based job seekers allowance
Unemployed, with contribution-based job seekers allowance
Council tax benefit
Housing benefit
Income support
Working tax credits (earning less than £15,050)
Pension credits (Guarantee Credit Only)
The unwaged dependant of someone in receipt of the benefits mentioned above
• Offenders serving their sentence in the community
• Asylum seekers who are eligible for LSC FE funding
• Are 19 – 25 and studying for their first full level 3 qualification
• Are 19+ and studying for their first full level 2 qualification
PART-TIME COURSES
There are reduced fees and exemptions available on some part-time programmes to eligible learners, look for those marked £R. To see if you qualify check the course code below.
Course codes ending in A
If you are a student on a further education (LSC) programme you are exempt from payment of all tuition fees if you meet one of the following criteria as detailed under Full Time Courses.
Course codes ending in B
You will be eligible for a reduced fee where shown if you meet the following criteria:
• You are aged 60 or over
• In receipt of an income based benefit
Course codes ending in S
There is no charge as these courses count towards the Government targets for ensuring adults have appropriate literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.
You may be able to get financial support to help with the cost of coming to college. Use our quick reference guide by clicking on a heading to see if you are eligible (other conditions apply).
EMA (Educational Maintenance Allowance)
The EMA scheme offers weekly and bonus payments to help 16, 17 and 18 year olds on full time courses with the day-to-day costs of coming to college. You could receive up to £30 per week during term time, plus up to £500 bonuses. You need to be able to provide evidence of a household income of less than £30,810 per year.
Pick up an application pack from Student Services, register on-line for a form at www.direct.gov.uk/ema or call the helpline on 0808 10 16219.
LSF (Learner Support Funds)
Through the Learning Support Fund (LSF), the College can help students on full time or part-time vocational programmes with the cost of travelling, accommodation and child care. These funds are very limited and we cannot guarantee that the full amount claimed will be awarded, especially if there is a high demand for funding. You need to be able to provide evidence of a household income of less than £35,000 or have other special circumstances.
Application forms and further guidance are available from Student Services on 0800 0711 666.
ALG (Adult Learning Grant)
If you’re an adult studying full-time at college towards your first full Level 2 or Level 3 qualification, the Adult Learning Grant (ALG) could pay you up to £30 per week during term time.
To qualify you cannot be in receipt of any other grants or training allowances, job seekers allowance or income support. You need to be able to provide details of a household income of below £30,810 per year.
You can get an ALG application pack from Student Services on 0800 0711 666 or request one from ‘learndirect’ on 0800 100 900. More information is on the ALG website.
Level 2/3 Entitlement
If you are over 19 and studying for your first level 2 or 3 qualification you could be entitled to free tuition.
Application forms and further guidance are available from Student Services on 0800 0711 666.
Care to Learn
If you are a young parent under 20 years old, you can get up to £160 a week to help with the cost of childcare.
For more information, other conditions and to apply, visit the Care to Learn website, or call the Care to Learn helpline on 0845 600 2809.
Higher Education – Help with fees
Please visit the website of the partner university you will be studying with for further advice and guidance
Buckinghamshire New University
Reading University
Bursaries
Buckinghamshire New University offers new students a ‘no strings attached’ £500 bursary per year, please visit their website or contact us for further details.
Career Development Loans
A Career Development Loan is a bank loan designed to help you pay for work-related learning. You don't have to start paying your loan back until one month after you stop training. Visit Career Development Loans to find out more.
Student Loans
Student loans are available to help you with the cost of Higher Education, they are offered at a lower rate of interest than standard loans and don’t need paying back until you have left your course and are earning more than £15,000 per year. To find out more go to Student Loans.
Maintenance Grants
Maintenance Grants are available to help with living costs. Whether you qualify and the level of grant you’ll get, depends on your household income. To apply and find out more visit the governement website Maintenance Grants.
