Fees Guidance - Full Time

Fees Guidance - Full Time Courses

Herefordshire College of Technology believes in giving everyone equal opportunities to study further education. However, with regard to course costs, some courses attract different levels of government funding based on the learner’s age and level, which means the College is obliged pass on different levels of fees to learners.

Are you aged between 16 and 18 years?

For learners who start their further education full-time course aged between 16 and 18 years, there are no tuition or examination fees. Some courses may charge for bespoke items such as materials, equipment, specialist clothing, etc.

Are you aged between 19 and 23 years?

For learners aged between 19 and 23 years, tuition, materials and examination fees are applicable. The current tuition fee for a full-time course is approximately £650 (subject to change). Examination fees are in addition and vary from course to course.

Are you aged 24 years or over?

24+ Advanced Learning Loans

The introduction of Advanced Learning Loans will provide support for those aged 24 and over to access advanced (Level 3) and higher (Level 4) further education courses and apprenticeships from the 2013/14 academic year. For the first time Advanced Learner Loans will give learners in further education access to financial support similar to that which is available in higher education for tuition costs, from the Student Loans Company. This means rather than an individual having to pay for their course upfront they have the option of accessing an Advanced Learner Loan. Learners can apply from 1 April 2013 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2013. It's easy to apply, household income isn't taken into account and there's no credit check. Learners won't have to pay anything back until their income is over £21,000 a year.

Further information is available by following the links below:

Adults over 24 years old undertaking partial qualifications at Level 3 or above will not be eligible for loans but will have to pay the higher tuition fee.

Please phone our Enquiries Line for more details on 0800 032 1986.

Fee Reductions for Adults

Learners who qualify for reduced fee Level 2 / 3 courses (See Fee Reductions for Adults) are exempt from paying tuition fees, but examination fees do apply. There may also be material/equipment costs, but these are dependant upon the course being studied.

Online Resources

The student finance section of the 'Student Room' website has the latest news and advice for all students, including those going to university.

www.thestudentroom.co.uk/studentfinance

Students can also follow Student Finance England at www.facebook.com/SFEngland and www.twitter.com/sf_england to take part in student finance surgeries.

Overseas Learners

HCT welcomes learners from overseas and are sure that you will find our college an ideal place to study. We have attracted learners from all over the world, including Australia, China, USA and many European countries.

Please note: separate fees apply for overseas learners. To find out more, please call Learner Services on 0800 032 1986.

FE Loans for 2013

From September 2013 FE Loans will be available for students aged 24 & over studying on a Level 3 or 4 course. These will operate like HE student loans. You will only start to pay back the loan once you are earning more than £21,000 a year. Please come and speak to us in the Finance Department or Learner Services Team if you have any questions.

Assistance with fees

You may be entitled to a reduction of course fees if you are in receipt of certain means tested benefits (Jobseekers Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance – Work Related). Documentary evidence must be provided. Please call 0800 032 1986 for further details.

N.B government priorities and legislation with regards to fee reductions are extremely uncertain at the time of publication of this prospectus. Prospective learners should contact the College directly in order to ascertain the most up-to-date information.

Payment of Fees by Instalments:

ALL ARRANGEMENTS TO PAY FEES BY INSTALMENTS MUST BE EFFECTED BY THE LEARNER COMPLETING A STANDING ORDER MANDATE AT THE TIME OF ENROLMENT.
In all cases 25% of fees are payable at the time of enrolment. Standing order payments cover ONLY tuition fees; certain courses may also have exam registration costs, etc. Based on a normal September / October enrolment, the following payment dates should be used:

1st payment after enrolment………1st December
2nd payment …………………………1st January
3rd payment…………………………..1st February

The instalment plan will only be available for courses whose fees exceed £200.

Further details can be obtained from the Herefordshire College of Technology Finance department.

These figures are for guidance purposes only and should be checked prior to enrolment.