The amount you pay for education depends on a number of things. This includes your age, previous qualifications, the course you plan to study, and whether you claim certain benefits. The financial support you may get also depends on these and other factors, including your household income.
16-18 year olds
If you are 16-18* on the 31 August in the year your course starts you will not have to pay any course or exam fees.
There are costs to many courses, to cover things like materials that you will use, and uniforms (if you need them). This can vary from a little as £25 to a few hundred pounds.
If you are 19-24* and have an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) you will not pay course or exam fees, but may have to pay fees for materials, equipment etc.
19-23 year olds
If you don’t already have a full level 2** or level 3*** you may not have to pay course fees for these qualifications.
Unemployed and receiving eligible benefits
If you are 19 or older, and meet the unemployed criteria, you may be able to study up to a level 3 qualification without paying course fees. This applies if you are receiving eligible benefits.
People earning less that £25,000 a year
If you earn less than £25,000 gross annually you may not have to pay courses fees for the following:
Level 3 funding eligibility
Age | Cost/funding option |
|---|
16-18 | Free |
19-23 | Free if first full level 3 and the qualification being studied is part of the legal entitlement qualifications, or it is part of the free courses for jobs offer and the student meets the earnings threshold or unemployed criteria, or are above the earnings threshold and have not achieved a full level 3. |
24 and over | Free if part of the free courses for jobs offer and the student meetings the earnings threshold or unemployed criteria. If not, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan |
Financial support
We manage two Learner Support Funds for those who need help. One is for 16-18 year-olds, and the other is for those 19 or older.
Support is available for households with incomes under £33,000 (£20,319 for single students). It can help pay for bus passes, childcare, materials, essential equipment, and course uniforms.
If you are an independent student, young parent or a care experienced young person then there is additional support available to help to stay or return to education . However, you will still have to pay course fees in line with all other students.
For full details of who has to pay for education see our course fee disclaimer information.
*UK citizens or UK residents with settles or pre-settled status, homes student and meet the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) eligibility criteria
**5 GCSEs, grades 9-4, or equivalent
***2 or more A levels or equivalent
