Funding your future
Funding your future
Know where you want to go? Get started using the quick links below.
Government funded courses
The UK government in September 2020 announced its Lifetime Skills Guarantee representing a long-term commitment to remove the age constraints and financial barriers for adults looking for their first Level 3 qualification so that they can access training to enable them to progress.
At Exeter College we want our learners to have full access to this funding and so have broken down some of the key areas and criteria for accessing funded courses to the following areas:
For Essential Skills
Anyone who does not already have these qualifications will be able to access this funding and the course will then be free of charge. This includes GCSE Maths and English up to grade C(4).
Please visit the individual course pages to see if this type of funding is available for your chosen course.
For up to Level 2
Funding is available to cover the full cost of some Level 2 (and under) courses if you meet any one of the following conditions:
– You are aged 19 or over
– You are a UK resident (learners with indefinite leave to remain must meet the 3 year residency rule)
– You are on a personal income of less than £35,000
If you do not qualify for funding based on the above, but are aged 19-23 and have not previously completed a full Level 2 qualification you can qualify for free funding.
Please visit the individual course pages to see if this funding is available for your chosen course.
All 19+ years old, have lived in the UK for at least 3 years, are a UK resident, and who do not qualify for OPTION A will pay a 50% contribution. The contribution is shown in the fee section on each course page.
For Level 3 and above
Funding is available to cover the costs of some Level 3 courses if the following applies:
– You are aged 19 or over
– You are a UK resident (learners with indefinite leave to remain must meet the 3 year residency rule)
– You are on a personal income of less than £35,000
Please visit the individual course pages to see if this funding is available for your chosen course.
All other adults who do not qualify for OPTION A can obtain a loan to cover the fees for courses with this option available (see individual course pages).
Anyone aged 19 and above, who has lived in the UK for at least 3 years, are a UK resident, and who has not previously taken an Advanced Learner Loan is eligible. More information on loans can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan
Please visit the individual course pages to see if this funding is available for your chosen course.
How to access funded courses
If you think you fall into one of the categories above, we offer a range of courses that are funded by the Government, meaning you would pay nothing. Applying for this funding is done when enrolling on your chosen programme.
It is important to remember evidence is required at enrolment to show you are eligible. When criteria require you not to hold a given qualification, evidence does not need to be provided, but a self-declaration will need to be signed to confirm you do not hold the qualification.
Adult Learning Bursary
The College may be able to offer financial support with course related costs to students who are experiencing hardship. If your household income is £50,000 or below, financial support can be available to allow you to continue with your learning. This bursary can reimburse you fully for costs such as:
- Travel to and from the College to study
- Resources required for study including equipment, membership fees and stationery
- Childcare costs
Non-funded courses
Fees are paid annually for courses lasting more than one year and those shown in the course guide relate to the first year, unless otherwise stated.
There may be some additional items that you will need to bring to a course. This will be stated on the full course information. If your course costs over £500, we will ask you to pay a deposit to secure your place after your interview.
The balance will be due at the time of enrolment. All fees are payable on enrolment. However, for accredited courses costing over £150 an instalment plan may be offered if you are enrolling at one of our receptions. The instalments require a 50% deposit at enrolment followed by two Direct Debit payments.
Course cancellations and refunds
You will get a refund if you have already paid for a course which:
- We have to cancel
- We agree with you is not suitable after initial assessment and we cannot offer you an alternative.
We reserve the right to rearrange course dates, times and venues but will make every effort to tell you as soon as possible.
