CLaSS Fees

Working out how much you pay

The cost of each course is shown in the course details. The fees are for the entire course. If you choose to pay by cheque, cash or postal order then you can pay for your course in 2 instalments as long as your course lasts for 20 weeks or more. At the time of booking you must pay 60% of the fee. The remainder of the fee is payable by Friday 15th February 2008. If you choose to pay by debit or credit card, or if your course is shorter than 20 weeks, you will be required to pay the full amount for your course when you book. On some courses as well as your course fee, there is a cost for examination and/or awarding body registration fees, exam fees should be paid when you enrol on a course.

Which fee is appropriate?

Standard Fee is for those who are under 60 and not entitled to a reduced fee.

Reduced Fee is for those on a means tested benefit listed below or the dependant of someone in receipt of one these benefits. You will need to bring proof of entitlement to the first session of your course or send a copy.

Listed Income-Based Benefits

• Job Seekers Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Working Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Benefit

Courses are free to those:

1. under 19 years of age on 31st August 2007 on a Further Education (qualification) course. Please note, however, that our Adult and Community Learning (non-qualification) courses are for learners 19 years of age or above on 31st August 2007.
2. on any Basic English, Basic Maths and Skills for Work courses. For these courses you need to attend an interview prior to enrolment. This is to ensure you get individual advice to help you choose the right course.
3. on an accredited discrete course for people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
4. on a Family Learning or Parenting course.
5. On full Level 2 courses e.g. NVQ Level 2 for learners who do not already have a full Level 2 qualification, that is, 5 GCSEs Grade C and above or equivalent. For more information contact any of our centres or the Central Booking Line (NUMBER).

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Course Fees

ESOL learners eligible for a reduced fee pay a yearly registration fee of £20.00 for non-qualification courses and £33.00 for courses working towards national qualifications. To see if you are eligible for a reduced fee, see above.

If you are not eligible for a reduced fee, you pay the standard ESOL course fee for courses, that is, £1.50 per course hour. If you earn less than £19,000 you can apply to the ESOL Learner Support Fund for help with ESOL course fees and examination fees.

Exam Fees, Additional Costs and Refunds

• Exam fees
  On some courses as well as your course fee, there is a cost for examination and/or awarding body registration fees. Exam fees are shown with each course listing. The fees are correct at the time of going to print. However, occasionally fees do change. Exam fees should be paid when you enrol on a course. Help with any exam expenses may be available (see here).
• Additional Costs
  You may also have to pay for textbooks, materials and consumables. Wherever possible, you will be informed of these additional costs in the course information sheets. Help with any course-related expenses may be available (see here).
• CLaSS Xtra
  In order to extend the amount of provision that can be offered a small additional programme of courses has been planned. You will notice that the cost of these courses is higher and there are no reductions, as they do not receive funding from the Learning and Skills Council to subsidise costs.
• Refunds
  A refund will only be given if your course is closed. A pro-rata refund will be issued to those learners who have been in regular attendance. Learners withdrawing from a course are not entitled to a refund. In some cases we can allow learners to transfer the balance of their payment to another course.