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Adult Course Fee Information

Fees, Financial Assistance and How to Pay

PLEASE NOTE: FEES AND FUNDING RULES ARE CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND UNDER REVIEW BY GOVERNMENT

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.

Courses with an asterisk (*) in the Adult Course Guide may be free if you meet the governments fee remission criteria.
Call our Admissions Team on 0151 257 2053 to find out if you are eligible.

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 £15 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.

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 CourseThese 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 CourseA £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 coursePlease contact Adult Admissions for information.
An Entry, Level 1 or Level 2 CourseThese courses may be FREE if you are:

UNEMPLOYED and in receipt of a state benefit

EMPLOYED or SELF EMPLOYED and earning less than £338.00 per month and either:
• In receipt of Universal Credit and in one of the following groups – All Work-related Requirement Group, Work Preparation Group, Work-Focused Interview Group
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 you earn less than £18,135 per year and live within the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton and the Wirral). 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.
Otherwise course fees will apply.

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 Courses Riverside College Widnes Runcorn Liverpool St Helens Warrington Full Time Part Time

Adult Learning Links

Riverside College-Adult courses funded by Liverpool City Region Adult Education Budget