It looks like you're using an outdated browser. For a better experience please use a modern browser. We suggest either Chrome or Firefox

As an adult student you may be eligible for financial support depending on your circumstances. You may be entitled to FREE or subsidised tuition fees, even if you are working.

Our Client Services advisors can help you access a range of funding to help with course fees, and for use towards equipment, travel or childcare. The amount of funding will vary depending on your household income and the course you want to study.


Fees and Payments

Individual course fees are listed as part of the course information on this website and within the part-time guide. The costs for adults on each course fall into different bands, and some small group prices apply.

Instalment Agreements are available on request for course fees totalling more than £400. In all cases, at least 25% of the fee will be due on enrolment. 

In exceptional circumstances for example financial hardship, please speak to a member of the Finance team who will discuss with you possible alternative options.

Please contact our Client Services Team with any further queries on 01737 788444.

Free Maths & English courses

Courses will be FREE if you are 19+ and do not already have a grade 4/C (or above) in Maths or English GCSE.

Standard Fee

The Standard Fee will apply If you are aged 19+ on 31 August 2023 and meet the ESFA (Education & Skills Funding Agency) residency criteria, unless you’re eligible for financial support.

For Level 2 courses (or below) the Government will co-fund your fees if you are aged 19+ on 31 August 2023 and meet the ESFA residency criteria. The fee you pay equates to approximately 50% or less of the Full Fee.

Full Fee

Full Fee will apply if you are aged 19+ on 31 August 2023 and you do not meet the ESFA residency criteria.

You may also need to pay additional fees based on the course eg assessment fees.

Full Fee also applies if there is no Government funding for this qualification.

Free Tuition for students aged 19+

FREE tuition may apply if you satisfy one (or more) of the criteria below:

  • You are working and earn less than £20,319 (annual gross salary), or £23,302.50 if you are resident within the GLA* area.
  • Aged 19-23, studying or working towards your first full Level 2 qualification.
  • Aged 19-23, studying your first full Level 3 qualification.
  • Aged 19+, you do not have a full Level 3 qualification and are completing a qualification on the National Skills Fund (NSF) list.

If you are in receipt of benefits

FREE tuition may apply if you are aged 19+ and satisfy one (or more) of the criteria below:

  • In receipt of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), including those with NI credits only.
  • Receive Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
  • Receive Universal Credit (UC), and your take-home pay as recorded on your UC statement (disregarding UC payments and other benefits) is less than £617 a month (learner is sole adult in their benefit claim) or £988 a month (learner has a joint benefit claim with their partner).
  • Receive any other recognised state benefit and your take-home pay (disregarding benefits) is less than £617 a month, or £988 if you have a joint claim with your partner. The course you enrol on must also be directly relevant to you progressing into more sustainable employment.

Remember, it’s always worth checking with our Client Services team to see what support you could be entitled to, as the rules and guidance can be complex and waivers are subject to change as per ESFA guidance.

Employer/Sponsor Undertaking Form

Please complete an Employer Undertaking Form if your Employer/Sponsor has agreed to pay your tuition fees and/or examinations/registration fees.

Please email Client Services at clientservices@esc.ac.uk to request a copy.

ADVANCED LEARNER LOANS

If you’re looking to improve your career prospects and training costs have always been the barrier, then you may be able to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

If you are aged 19 or over, an Advanced Learner Loan could help pay for the cost of studying a Level 3 course or above (if you do not qualify for FREE tuition). The minimum loan amount is £300 and is provided by the Government. Our advisors can help you to apply.

  • Financial help for those studying Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 courses
  • No Income or credit checks
  • Repayments don’t start until after the end of your course 
  • No repayments until you earn more than £524 a week 
  • or £2,274 a month (before tax and other deductions)

All applications are via the Gov.uk website – apply now.

ADVANCED LEARNER LOAN BURSARY SCHEME

East Surrey College has a discretionary bursary fund available from the Skills Funding Agency for students aged 19 and above. To be eligible for support from this fund, you must be enrolled onto a Level 3 or 4 course and have a Advanced Learner Loan agreed by the Student Loans Company for your tuition fees. This bursary can contribute towards travel, childcare costs for the days you attend college and essential kit and equipment. This award is assessed on an individual basis and you will be informed in writing of our decision to support your costs.

Any support you receive will be subject to the conditions outlined on our bursary form.

To make sure that we direct the right support to you, please fully complete the form below, and submit this to Client Services.

DOWNLOAD FORM

or: 

APPLY ONLINE

 

Standard Fee

The Standard Fee will apply if you are aged 19+, unless you qualify for a concessionary fee. 

If you are in receipt of benefits

FREE tuition will apply if you are aged 19+ on 31 August 2023, are taking a leisure course in the current academic year (note: you may be required to pay a small materials charge) and meet one of the following criteria:

  • You are working and earn less than £20,319 (annual gross salary), or £231,302.50 if you are resident in the GLA* area.
  • In receipt of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), including those with NI credits only.
  • Receive Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
  • Receive Universal Credit (UC), and your take-home pay as recorded on your UC statement (disregarding UC payments and other benefits) is less than £617 a month (learner is sole adult in their benefit claim) or £988 a month (learner has a joint benefit claim with their partner).
  • Receive any other recognised state benefit and your take-home pay (disregarding benefits) is less than £617 a month, or £988 if you have a joint claim with your partner. The course you enrol on must also be directly relevant to you progressing into more sustainable employment.

Payments for all Courses

To qualify for free tuition or a concessionary fee, suitable evidence must be supplied when you enrol. For those with learning difficulties or disabilities we will need to see a copy of your EHCP. For JSA, ESA, Universal Credit or other means-tested benefits, evidence must be supplied as an official letter (eg from a Government department), dated not more than 3 months prior to enrolment, as well as your National Insurance number. For those on a low income, evidence of your 3 most recent payslips must be provided. If you do not qualify for free tuition, payment must be made on the day when you enrol. Instalment plans are available for courses that cost £400 or more.

Refunds

You will not normally be entitled to a refund unless your course is cancelled by the College. If in exceptional circumstances a written request for a refund is agreed, an administration fee of £30 will be applied, please refer to the Refund Policy at www.esc.ac.uk/fees-and-funding. East Surrey College will abide by the Terms and Conditions of the Consumer Contracts Regulations.

Download a copy of the College Refunds Policy.

Cancellations

We may have to cancel sessions of courses in circumstances beyond our control, such as power failure, extreme weather or sudden staff sickness. The fee you pay is for the whole course, not a set number of weeks and hours. In the event of a cancelled session, we endeavour to ensure that any missed content is covered in the remaining available weeks.

Need Help?

If you would like clarification on fees, payment terms or how to qualify for the Concessionary fee please contact Client Services on 01737 788444.


Customer Satisfaction

Our Commitment

We are committed to providing high quality education and customer service at all times, so your comments are very important to us. If you are not satisfied with your course for any reason, we would ask that you discuss your concerns with your course tutor in the first instance.

In case of a query or issue encountered with an online application, or if you have a complaint about a course booked online, you can contact our Client Services team on 01737 788444 or view our customer feedback process at www.esc.ac.uk/comments-and-feedback.

If the problem is unresolved you may wish to submit your complaint online at https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.


Workers' Educational Association (WEA)

The WEA offers courses in Health and Wellbeing, Employability, Community Engagement, Fitness and Personal Development.

In the Autumn term the WEA will be returning to face-to-face provision provided that it is safe to do so. A complete list of WEA East Surrey courses can be found at wea.org.uk.

In East Surrey, the WEA works in partnership with East Surrey College delivering a wide range of targeted provision for those:

  • making their first steps back into employment
  • with mental health issues or confidence issues
  • in need of supported learning
  • who give their time as volunteers or carers
  • with English, Maths and Digital needs
  • who have schools or parenting needs

Enrol at wea.org.uk or call 0300 303 3464

Address: East Surrey College, Gatton Point, London Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1 2JX

Main Switchboard: 01737 772611 / Client Services: 01737 788444 / Email: clientservices@esc.ac.uk

Matrix
Disability Confident
MINDFUL EMPLOYER
mayors construction academy
esfa
Mayor of London