Fees, Financial Assistance and How to Pay
Many of our Students Study for Free
Don’t be put off by the cost of study, many of our students study for free. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances and the course you have chosen to study.
Our September 2021 course guide will be available in the summer term, please click here for a full list of September courses currently on offer.
Apply online or email advice@riverside.ac.uk for more information.
You no longer have to be unemployed to study for free:
Entry, Level 1 and Level 2 courses that are eligible for fee remission may also be free for you if you are employed or self-employed and one of the following applies:
- You earn less than £338 per month and are in receipt of a state benefit
- You earn less than £18,135 per year and live within the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton and the Wirral)
- You earn less than £17,004 per year and live outside of the Liverpool City Region
Paying for your course?
If you are paying for your course you will do so at enrolment by cash or card. Some courses can be paid for by instalments (indicated by a Δ in the Adult Course Guide) or payment plans, please enquire.
Higher Education Student Loan
HE Student Loans are available for all first time undergraduates, full and part time. You won’t pay back any of your course fees until you are earning £26,575 or over per year. For more information visit www.gov.uk.
Courses with an ‘S’ in the fee column in the Adult Course Guide are eligible for HE Student Loans.
Learn more about Higher Education Course loans Here.
Advanced Learner Loan
An Advanced Learner Loan is available to anyone over the age of 19, regardless of your individual circumstances, studying a Level 3 or 4 eligible course. The loan will fully cover your fees – with no repayments until you are earning over the current threshold of £26,575 or over per year (repayment example: if you are earning £27,000 per year you will pay approximately £3 per month).
Courses with a ‘+’ in the fee column in the Adult Course Guide are eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan.
Read more about Advanced Learner Loans here.
This information is current for anyone enrolling between 1st December 2020 and 31st July 2021. For courses starting September 2021, fee remission categories may change and we will update this information as soon as we are informed by Government. Please also check the individual course information leaflet on this website for further information.
| What type of Course are you enrolling on? | Fees, Course Funding and Loans |
| A ‘Full Cost’ Course (courses without any symbol after the fee in the Adult Course Guide) |
Course fees apply regardless of circumstances. You must pay your course fees or your first instalment at enrolment. |
| A Higher Education Course (these courses will have an ‘S’ in the FEE Column) |
Course fees apply. You may be able to apply for a Student Loan from the Government. Adult Admissions can assist with your finance application. |
| A Functional Skills English or Maths Course, or Digital Skills/ECDL | These courses are FREE regardless of your circumstances. You must sign a declaration regarding qualifications you have attained prior to the start of this course. |
| A GCSE English or Maths Course | A £40 registration fee applies to all payable at enrolment. The course fees are FREE for anyone who has not achieved a GCSE in the same subject at grade C/4 or above in the last three years. You must sign a declaration regarding qualifications you have attained. |
| An ESOL course | Please contact Adult Admissions for information. |
| An Entry, Level 1 or Level 2 Course | These courses may be FREE if you are:
AGED 19-23 studying an Entry or Level 1 course UNEMPLOYED and in receipt of a state benefit EMPLOYED or SELF EMPLOYED and earning less than £338.00 per month and either: OR • In receipt of a state benefit, choosing a course that will provide you with the skills to enhance your employment prospects. EMPLOYED or SELF EMPLOYED and live within the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton and the Wirral) and you are either: • Studying a course with (LCR) next to the FEE If you live in the LCR and do not fit into these categories, please enquire. Evidence of earning required. OR EMPLOYED or SELF EMPLOYED and you earn less than £17,004 per year and live outside of the Liverpool City Region. Evidence of earnings required. |
| Full and First Level 2 Courses* | These courses are FREE if you are aged 19-23, studying a FULL Level 2 course and have NOT already achieved a FULL Level 2 qualification. |
| Full and First Level 3 Courses** | These courses are FREE if you are aged 19-23 and have NOT already achieved a Full Level 3 or higher qualification. Otherwise course fees apply – you may apply for an Advanced Learning Loan. |
* A first full Level 2 course includes: 5 GCSEs at grade A*- C, BTEC First Diploma, NVQ Level 2, GNVQ Intermediate. If you have additional qualifications that you are unsure of, we will check these at enrolment.
** A first full Level 3 course includes: 2 A Levels at grade A*-E, BTEC National Diploma, BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC National Certificate, NVQ Level 3, GNVQ Advanced. If you have additional qualifications that you are unsure of, we will check these at enrolment.
How do I pay?
Course fees should be paid at enrolment by cash or card. We accept all major credit/debit cards. We do not accept American Express.
Fees for courses which are not eligible for remission or loans must be paid for in full at enrolment.
All other fees that are £320 or above, and last a minimum of one term, can be paid in instalments. Students will be required to pay the first instalment at enrolment.
If your employer is paying your course fees you must bring a letter of authorisation from them. We will then issue an invoice directly to your employer for payment.
Adult Learning Links
- Adult Learning Homepage
- Adult Courses
- Access to Higher Education
- Fees & Financial Support
- Bursary / Financial Support
- Advanced Learner Loan
- Is College For You?
