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Funding your future

Funding your future

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Essential Skills
For up to Level 2
Level 3 and above

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 are 19+ years old, have lived in the UK for at least 3 years, are a UK resident, and meet any one of the following conditions:
– Aged 19-23 and have not previously completed a full Level 2 qualification (typically less than five GCSE grades A to E)
– Are currently unemployed and seeking work
– Are on a personal income of less than £20,319

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 for those aged 19-23 years old. You will need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 years, are a UK resident, and who have not completed a full Level 3 qualification (see below for list of what classes as a full Level 3):

  • 4 AS Levels or more
  • 2 A Levels or more
  • National Diploma or Higher
  • City and Guilds Advanced Craft
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • HNC/HND
  • 1st Degree/Higher Degree
  • NVQ 3 or higher
  • Advanced GNVQ
  • ONC/OND
  • RSA Diploma or higher
  • GNVQ Intermediate or higher
  • TEC Cert/Diploma
  • HE Cert/Diploma
  • Nursing (SRN)
  • LCCI certificate
  • LCCI Advanced Level
  • Pitman’s Level 2 Intermediate or higher
  • ESOL advanced

Please visit the individual course pages to see if this funding is available for your chosen course.

Learners without a full Level 3 or above can access a qualification on the Level 3 adult offer qualification list. Learners who already hold a Level 3 or higher and meet the definition of unemployed or low wage (earns less than £20,319 annual gross salary).

See below for list of what classes as a full Level 3:

  • Four AS Levels or more
  • Two A Levels or more
  • National Diploma or Higher City and Guilds Advanced Craft
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • HNC/HND
  • 1st Degree/Higher Degree
  • NVQ 3 or higher
  • Advanced GNVQ
  • ONC/OND
  • RSA Diploma or higher
  • GNVQ Intermediate or higher
  • TEC Cert/Diploma
  • HE Cert/Diploma
  • Nursing (SRN)
  • LCCI certificate
  • LCCI Advanced Level
  • Pitman’s Level 2 Intermediate or higher
  • ESOL advanced

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 and B 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
Find out more

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.

Upcoming Events View all events

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    Open Event

    Open Events are the perfect way to find out more about life at Exeter College. Our Open Events are for school leavers, those looking for an Apprenticeship and adult learners interested in professional or degree level courses or leisure courses. Taking place on Thursday 12 October 2023, the next Open Event is a chance for anyone interested in joining us to…

    • 12 Oct 2023
    • 16:00 - 20:00
    12Oct
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    Open Event

    Open Events are the perfect way to find out more about life at Exeter College. Our Open Events are for school leavers, those looking for an Apprenticeship and adult learners interested in professional or degree level courses or leisure courses. Taking place on Wednesday 22 November 2023, an Open Event is a chance for anyone interested in joining us to find…

    • 22 Nov 2023
    • 16:00 - 20:00
    22Nov
  • Open Event (Adult and Higher Technical Education)

    Open Events are the perfect way to find out more about life at Exeter College. Our adult and higher education open events are for adult learners interested in professional or degree level courses, or leisure courses. Taking place on Wednesday 27 March 2024, 5.00-7.00pm, at the Digital and Data Centre, this Open Event is a…

    • Digital and Data Centre 27 Mar 2024
    • 17:00 - 19:00
    27Mar