Adult learning course fees

These courses are not funded by the ESFA and the fee that you pay covers the entire cost of the course. There are no reductions.

All learners applying to join a skills or qualification course are required to attend a pre-course Information and Assessment session before being offered a place.

We want to make sure that you're fully prepared for your qualification and have the best chance of succeeding. The session is your chance to discuss with a specialist why you have chosen the qualification and what you want to get out of it. You can also ask any questions you have about the course.

The course specialist will go through your expectations, the amount of work involved, any support needs you may have or further steps you might need to take before the course starts. They'll also make sure you'll be studying at the right level.

If you need to pay a course fee, we'll discuss this with you and our staff will also provide you with information about financial support. We won't ask you to pay until we confirm your place on the course, after the Information and Assessment session.

These course fees will be met by ESFA if you are unemployed, looking for work and receiving one of the following:

• Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit (employment component)

The courses may also be free if you are unemployed, earning less than 16 times the National Minimum Wage a week or £330 per month and receiving other forms of means tested state benefits which are not JSA or ESA:

• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Incapacity Benefit (where it is a historical claim equivalent to ESA)
• Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit
• Council Tax Support

They may also be free if you are aged 19 to 23 and don’t already have a level 2 qualification.

All learners applying to join a Level 3 skills or qualification course are required to attend a pre-course Information and Assessment session before being offered a place.

We want to make sure that you're fully prepared for your qualification and have the best chance of succeeding. The session is your chance to discuss with a specialist why you have chosen the qualification and what you want to get out of it. You can ask any questions you have about the course.

The course specialist will go through your expectations, the amount of work involved and any support needs you may have or further steps you might need to take before the course starts. They'll also make sure you'll be studying at the right level.

Course fees will be met by the ESFA if you are aged 19 to 23 and studying your first full Level 3 course.

If you've already achieved a qualification at level 3 or higher, or if you're aged 24 or over, you may be eligible for an Adult Learning Loan. We'll discuss this with you at the Information and Assessment session and support you with your application if needed.

We run different types of Community Learning courses.

Some of the courses are free because the cost is fully met by ESFA. These courses are described as 'Family Learning' and 'Family English and Maths Learning'.

For the other courses the cost is partly met by ESFA and the rest is paid by you. You'll get a means-tested reduction in the fee you pay if you receive any of the following:

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit
• Council Tax Credit
• Universal Credit

You'll just need to sign a declaration at the first session on your course.