Paying for your course or programme
Some of our programmes are free. For others you will need to pay.
Many of the costs of learning courses are covered by a grant to Gateshead Council from external agencies. The level of support varies according to the course. This explains why some have no charge and why there is a charge for others
Our charges are explained below.
Fees policy for externally funded courses
Fees policy for non-funded courses
Getting a discount or concession
Free courses
These courses are free for everyone:
- 'Skills for Jobs' courses for the unemployed
- 'Family Learning' courses
- 'Skills for Life' literacy and numeracy courses
Fees policy for externally funded courses
You may have to pay a fee for courses that are not in the categories above.
Full price
Payable if you do not qualify for a concession.
100% concession
No tuition fee to pay.
There is no fee to pay for a course where you meet one of the criteria below:
- You are 16 to 18 years old.
- You are 19 to 23 years old and the course will be your first Full Level 2 qualification (fees will be charged at the standard adult rate for other courses)
- You are 19 to 23 years old and the course will be your first Full Level 3 qualification (fees will be charged at the standard adult rate for any other courses).
- You are undertaking a learning aim below level 3, are employed, self-employed or unemployed and you earn less than £25,000 per year
You are over 24 years old and are undertaking a Level 3 qualification offered by the National Skills Fund and earn less than £25,000 per year. Full details on the National Skills Fund can be found on the Gov.uk website (opens new window).
Reduced Fees Concession
If you do not meet the criteria above, but earn less than £25,000 you may still be eligible for a 20% discount on eligible courses.
Other than the exceptions above, there is no other funding available for learners aged 24 and over undertaking a non-Apprenticeship learning aim at level 3 or above. If you are interested in one of these courses, you may either take out an Advanced Learning Loan or fund the course privately.
If you do not fall into either of these categories and can't afford to pay your course fees, then you can apply to our hardship funds for financial help. Speak to the enrolling officer at the centre or contact us on 0191 433 8516 for more information.
Fees policy for non-funded courses
For courses where Gateshead Council receive no funding from external agencies, such as our 'Learning for Leisure' courses, the full cost of learning must be paid by the learner. Fees are determined by the actual cost of running the course, and these are based on a minimum rate of £6.50 per hour.
Getting a discount or concession
If you qualify for a concession, you must bring evidence of this when you come to enrol, for example your benefit book or proof of earnings.
Charges
Fee rates are based on a value of £5.50 per hour for learning at full price, or £4.40 per hour for those eligible for concessions. However actual course fees may be increased as required by actual delivery costs and are subject to review in year.
Paying for your course
Wherever possible, payment should be made at the point of enrolment. In cases where this is not possible, we would expect payment to be made at least two weeks before the course start date to secure your place on the course.
You can pay for your course online at the point of enrolment, over the telephone or by visiting our office in person.
If you have not contacted us to pay one week prior to the course start date, we will contact you as a reminder to arrange payment.
If no payment has been made, we will contact you again before the start of the second session to arrange this. If contact is unsuccessful, we will send an invoice via the post.
Instalments
You may be able to pay your course in instalments.
When paying in instalments, the first payment must be made at the point of enrolment and the final payment must be made no later than the mid-point of the course.
- For courses over £60, we would arrange a maximum of two instalments.
- For courses over £100, we would arrange a maximum of three instalments.
Speak to the enrolling officer or contact us on 0191 433 8646 for more information.
Refund policy
A full refund will be offered if a course is cancelled before the first session, if for example when there are too few enrolments for the course to be cost effective. If a course closes after five weeks, a partial refund will be offered. Refunds will only be offered in other cases for medical or employment-related reasons. A doctor's note or a letter from an employer will be needed as proof.
What is included in the costs?
Published course fees cover the tuition costs of the course as well as your share of the cost of your accreditation and examination fees.
On certain courses additional equipment and materials may also apply. Any such additional costs will be explained at the time of enrolment and explained on course information sheets.
Examination fees
Some of the cost of your examination and/or assessment is included in your course fee. However, if you do not sit the exam without good reason, we reserve the right to charge you for the examination/assessment cost in full. This will be made clear to you when your examination/assessment entry is being submitted. A charge will also be made for any extra examination or assessment or re sits.
DBS checks
If your course involves your working with children or vulnerable adults, we will need to arrange for a police clearance check to be carried out. There may be a charge for this.
Additional learning support
We can sometimes access additional support for you depending on your course, if you have disabilities that need in-class support, or learning difficulties such as additional literacy, language or numeracy needs.
Discretionary learner support
Depending on your circumstances and the course you are enrolled on, we may help with the cost of associated with your learning for example books, materials, and accredited childcare costs.
If you are granted financial assistance but then decide to leave before the course ends, we will expect you to repay any funds received.
Disclaimer
Occasionally we gain project funding that allows us to reduce the cost of our programmes. in this circumstance we will pass on the reduced cost to the learner. We also run programmes that attract no external funding and for these programmes we must apply a funding rate that recovers the full cost of running the course.
Learners must meet certain residency requirements prior to the start of their course to qualify for the fee rates listed above. Where this is not the case, learners are able to enrol on courses but are required to pay the minimum full cost fee of £6.50 per hour. Funding rules are subject to change. Speak to the enrolling officer or contact us on 0191 433 8646 for more information