Fees and funding
We offer concessions on courses, for some subjects that lead to a qualification, and sometimes you will get the course for free.
Concessions are normally only available to learners aged 19 or over on the 31 August at the start of each academic year and who have been resident in the UK/EU for the past three years.
GCSE English and maths courses are free if you have not previously attained a GCSE in the subject at grade 4 or above (or equivalent).
For qualifications in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), up to and including Level 2, the courses are free for individuals who meet the unemployed criteria below, or who meet the low wage criteria. For most other qualification courses, up to and including Level 2, a concession which could make the course free, may be available:
- If you are aged 19 – 23
- If you are unemployed and seeking work
- Unemployed criteria: You must be unemployed, seeking work and in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
- Employment and Support Allowance (all categories)
- Universal Credit
- In receipt of other state benefits
- If you are a low wage earner (including self-employed and part-time workers) with a gross annual salary of less than £25,750
If you are claiming concessions, you may also be eligible for help with the following:
- Childcare costs (Ofsted registered provider)
- Travel costs
- Course equipment
- Examination fees
- Care costs for a dependent
This financial support is limited and will be available to eligible learners who apply for this additional funding. Application forms are available from your local centre.
Concessions may also be available on some non-qualification courses for learners whose household income is less than £25,750 per year or living in a supported living environment and who meet specific criteria. Please see our fees policy and the learner bursary for further information on this concession, or contact your local centre.
Paying by instalment
If your course fee is £100 or over you can pay by instalment. You will pay a quarter of the fee upfront followed by a further three instalments, paid by standing order. Please contact us for further information.
Adult skills qualifications: Funding requirements
English and maths: Functional Skills and stepping stones
This course is being funded by the Department for Education (DfE). To be able to provide you with this opportunity we need to ensure that you are eligible for funding and have to collect personal data for government monitoring of funding.
You must live in Devon and have been normally resident in the UK for the past 3 years and have a legal right to receive this funding.
In addition to this you must NOT have previously achieved a Level 2 qualification in this subject and take part in an initial assessment to discover your current level.
If you are not eligible for any reason, we will have to charge you fees to be able to provide this learning opportunity.
Digital Skills & IT – Essential and Functional skills
This course is being funded by the Department for Education (DfE). To be able to provide you with this opportunity we need to ensure that you are eligible for funding and have to collect personal data for government monitoring of funding.
You must live in Devon and have been normally resident in the UK for the past 3 years and have a legal right to receive this funding.
In addition to this you must NOT have previously achieved a Level 2 qualification in this subject and take part in an initial assessment to discover your current level, the levels available are at either Entry Level 3 or Level 1.
If you are not eligible for any reason, we will have to charge you fees to be able to provide this learning opportunity.
English and maths GCSE
This course is being funded by the Department for Education (DfE). To be able to provide you with this opportunity we need to ensure that you are eligible for funding and have to collect personal data for government monitoring of funding.
You must live in Devon and have been normally resident in the UK for the past 3 years and have a legal right to receive this funding.
In addition to this you must NOT have previously achieved a grade 4 (C) or above in this subject and take part in an initial assessment to discover your current level.
If you are not eligible for any reason, we will have to charge you fees to be able to provide this learning opportunity.
Digital Skills & IT – Level 2, ESOL Skills & Development and other qualifications at Level 2 or under
This course is being funded by the Department for Education (DfE). To be able to provide you with this opportunity we need to ensure that you are eligible for funding and have to collect personal data for government monitoring of funding.
You must live in Devon and have been normally resident in the UK for the past 3 years and have a legal right to receive this funding.
You do not already hold this qualification at this level.
We normally provided these courses free of charge and claim all your funding from the DfE if:
- You are attempting to achieve your first full level 2 (Excluding English or maths)
- You are unemployed, seeking work, claiming benefits and have annual earnings of less than £25,000
- You are employed or self-employed, but have annual earnings of less than £25,000
If neither of these criteria apply, you may still learn with us, but we will only be able to claim half the funding, which could result in the course being cancelled or you may be asked to contribute to cost of provision.
Tailored Learning – all subjects
We provide Tailored learning opportunities on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE) who fund this learning and have to collect personal data for government monitoring of funding.
You must live in Devon and have been normally resident in the UK for the past 3 years and have a legal right to receive this funding.
We normally provided these courses free of charge, but if a fee is charged to you as a learner or your employer then we only receive half the funding from the DfE.
No DfE funding (normally special projects)
Details of alternative funding and eligibility criteria to be supplied.