Click on a heading below to find out more about course fees and to see if you qualify for any exemptions or financial support.
Fees
Fee Exemption and Concessions
International Fees
Financial Support. Are you eligible?
Valid from September 2010
Bucks New Uni Higher Education Programmes
£3,225 per year
Reading University Higher Education Programmes
£3,375 per year
(students currently on the programme, having completed Year 1 and enrolling on to Year 2 in September 2011: £1687.50)
Full time programmes tuition fees
(Further Education - Over 19) £1,350 per year
Full time programmes exam fees
(Further Education - Over 19) vary with course
Part-time programmes fees as listed
Facilities Fee (ID Cards, Parking Permits, Registration Costs)
Full time students £45
Part time students £30
Fee Exemption and Concessions
This is a complex area and we can only include a summary here. To be eligible for fee exemption, you need to provide evidence of your entitlement e.g. copy of your birth certificate or proof of current benefit payment at enrolment. For full information contact us: 0800 0711 666.
FULL TIME COURSES
Full time and part time students on further education programmes are exempt from payment of all or part of your tuition fees if you meet one of the following criteria:
• Aged 16 - 18 on 31st August in the first year you start your course
• Offenders serving their sentence in the community
• Asylum seekers in receipt of income based benefits
• Aged 19–25 and studying for your first full level 3 qualification
• Aged 19+ and studying for your first full level 2 qualification
PART-TIME COURSES
There may be reduced fees and exemptions available on some part-time programmes for learners aged 16-18.
International Fees
The fees described are available to students who have resided in the European Economic Area for three years preceding the course start date (classified as ‘home’ students). If you do not meet this criteria (classified as an International Student) please contact us for further advice.
Students granted ‘indefinite leave to remain’ in the UK as asylum seekers may be treated as ‘home’ students if they are in receipt of a means tested benefit, otherwise the fees will be assessed at the international students rate.
Financial Support
You may be able to get financial support to help with the cost of coming to college. Use our quick reference guide by clicking on a heading to see if you are eligible (other conditions apply).
DLSF (Discretionary Learner Support Funds)
Through the Discretionary Learner Support Fund (DLSF), the College can help students on full time or part-time vocational programmes with the cost of accommodation, transport and child care. These funds are very limited and we cannot guarantee that the full amount requested will be awarded, especially if there is a high demand for funding. You need to be able to provide evidence of a household income of less than £25,321 or have other special circumstances.
Application forms and further guidance are available from Student Services on 0800 0711 666.
Level 2/3 Entitlement
If you are over 19 and studying for your first full level 2 qualification you could be entitled to free tuition.
If you are aged 19-25 and studying for your first full level 3 qualification you could be entitled to free tuition.
Application forms and further guidance are available from Student Services on 0800 0711 666.
Care to Learn
If you are a young parent under 20 years old, you can get up to £160 a week to help with the cost of childcare.
For more information, other conditions and to apply, visit the Care to Learn website, or call the Care to Learn helpline on 0845 600 2809.
New Deal for Lone Parents
If you are bringing up children as a lone parent, your youngest child is under 16 years old and you are not working, or you are working less than 16 hours per week you may be eligible to apply for New Deal for Lone Parents. To find out more visit your local Jobcentre Plus office. Visit the DirectGov website for more information.
Higher Education – Help with fees
Please visit the website of the partner university you will be studying with for further advice and guidance
Bucks New University
Reading University
Bursaries
Bucks New University offers new students a ‘no strings attached’ £500 bursary per year, please visit their website or contact us for further details.
Career Development Loans
Professional and Career Development Loans are bank loans that can be used
to help pay for work related learning. You can borrow between £300 and £10,000
to help support the cost of up to two years of learning (or three years if it includes
one year’s relevant unpaid practical work). The Young People’s Learning Agency
will pay the interest on the loan while you are learning and for one month
afterwards. The loan can be used to pay course fees or other costs such as travel
and living expenses. You can also use the loan to supplement other forms of
support such as grants or bursaries. Because the Professional and Career
Development Loan is a commercial loan product, they should only be considered
as an option once all other student funding options have been investigated.
For further information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact Next Steps on 0800 100 900. Our learning provider registration number is available on request.
Student Loans
Student loans are available to help you with the cost of Higher Education, they are offered at a lower rate of interest than standard loans and don’t need paying back until you have left your course and are earning more than £15,000 per year. To find out more go to Student Loans.
Maintenance Grants
Maintenance Grants are available to help with living costs. Whether you qualify and the level of grant you’ll get, depends on your household income. To apply and find out more visit the government website Maintenance Grants.
Evidence of Income
For a number of student support packages outlined in this leaflet you will need to provide evidence of income. If you do not provide that information your application will not be processed.
Some will require the original documents. In the event it is important that you photo copy and retain the copy before you send this off. This particularly includes P60s, Tax Credit Assessment Notices, and any other documents that confirm taxable income.
This information is subject to annual revision and is for guidance only.
