Whilst every care has been made to ensure that all information, fees and charges are accurately displayed on our website, we reserve the right to make alterations to reflect changes in our course offer, facilities and qualifications. Please call our Registry Team for the latest information on 020 8326 2301, or email: registry@west-thames.ac.uk

Do you have to pay fees?

Only around 5% of our full-time [Full-time courses consist of 12-16 hours study per week. International students on full-time courses must study a minimum of 15 hours per week.] Further Education [A course at Entry level, Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3. Includes pre-university and vocational qualifications, full-time and part-time for all ages.] Home students have to pay fees. Most do not pay fees because they are either:

• Under 19 years.

• Studying on a FREE course.

• In receipt of a means-tested benefit.

• 19+ years applying for their first Level 2 qualification.

• 19-25 years who already have a Level 2 qualification and are applying for their first Level 3 qualification.

• 19+ years who don't already have a Level 2 qualification and are applying for a Level 3 qualification (e.g. Access to HE [HND, Foundation Degree or BA Hons Degree - i.e. university level qualifications at Level 4 and higher.])

See Concessions (below) for more details.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for our Further Education [A course at Entry level, Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3. Includes pre-university and vocational qualifications, full-time and part-time for all ages.] courses are now available for 2010-11. Please bear with us whilst we update the information on the website. 

Fees, where stated, will be displayed on individual course Factsheets and are for one academic year which runs from September until June.

If you are not eligible for concessions, the full-time [Full-time courses consist of 12-16 hours study per week. International students on full-time courses must study a minimum of 15 hours per week.] course fee for 2010-11 is £1,135. Part-time course fees vary from course to course depending on the number of hours you study and other factors.

• Click here for Higher Education course fees.

• Click here for international student fees.

Concessions

• Under 19s - Home students do not have to pay tuition or exam fees on full-time [Full-time courses consist of 12-16 hours study per week. International students on full-time courses must study a minimum of 15 hours per week.] further education [A course at Entry level, Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3. Includes pre-university and vocational qualifications, full-time and part-time for all ages.] courses. However, you will have to pay exam registration fees if you are re-sitting an exam. There are no fees for 19-year olds on their second year of a two-year course.
• 19+ years on Level 2 courses - Home students do not have to pay tuition fees if they don't already have a full Level 2 qualification.**
• 19-25 year olds on Level 3 courses - Home students do not have to pay tuition fees if they don't already hold a full Level 3 qualification [A major or full-time Level 3 qualification such as: an A level programme, Access course, BTEC National Diploma, GNVQ Advanced, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.].**
• Basic Skills courses - Home students on basic skills courses in literacy and numeracy do not have to pay tuition or examination fees. 
• On benefits - Those in receipt of (or unwaged dependents of those in receipt of) the following income-related benefits do not have to pay tuition fees: Jobseekers' Allowance, Income Support, Hounsing Benefit (sole occupancy excluded), Council Tax Benefit, or Working Tax Credit/Pension Guarantee Credit (with a household income of less than £15,050.*) However you will usually have to pay the college Registration Fee. You must produce proof of benefits when you enrol. You may be eligible for help towards exam fees and materials costs from Discretionary Learner Support (see below).

If you are an Asylum Seeker, please contact our Registry Team for a further assessment. Call 020 8326 2301, or email: registry@west-thames.ac.uk .

**Does not include all Level 2 and Level 3 courses. Please ask our Registry Team for details. Email: registry@west-thames.ac.uk

Courses with no concessions

On some of our courses (mainly part-time professional courses) no concessions apply and the full fee (which includes the college Registration Fee) must be paid at enrolment regardless of your age or status. This should be stated on the course Factsheet.

Age restrictions

Most courses are suitable for students of all ages providing the entry requirements have been met. However, sometimes an awarding body may set a minimum age requirement for a course or, if a programme is government-funded, funding may only be available for students within a specific age range. Places on these courses may be available to other students if they meet the entry requirements, but these students may be required to pay the full cost of the course.

Registration Fee

If you are 19+ years and you are enrolling on a course lasting 60 or more hours in length, you will be required to pay a college Registration Fee of £50 (2010-11 fee) when you enrol. This also applies to those in receipt of a means-tested benefit.

If your course states "No concessions", the Registration Fee is usually already included in the fee stated.

Materials

On some courses there will be a charge for specialist kits and materials. Please ask for details when you enrol, or call our Registry Team on 020 8326 2301, or email: registry@west-thames.ac.uk

CRB Check

On some courses (usually caring and teaching courses) you may need to have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check before you are accepted onto the course as you will be required to work with children or vulnerable people. In 2010 the CRB check fee was £36*. Please ask our Registry Team for the latest information. Email: registry@west-thames.ac.uk 

Payment of Fees

All fees must be paid when you enrol. We accept payment by credit and debit cards including Visa, Mastercard, Switch/Maestro or Delta.

Payment by instalments may be possible for some courses - please ask for details.

Refunds

Fees will be refunded if we cancel the course or you have a medical certificate to withdraw you from the course due to ill health. The college Registration Fee of £50 is non-refundable.

Financial Support

Even if you don't have to pay tuition fees, covering the costs of being a student can sometimes be difficult.  We offer a range of financial support for Home students, helping you with the cost of travelling to college, living expenses, exam fees, books and materials. If you are eligible for Discretionary Learner Support, you may be entitled to up to £175* towards the cost of your exam fees and we may contribute up to a maximum of 50% towards materials.

To find out more, call our Student Support Officer on 020 8326 2412, or email StudentWelfare@west-thames.ac.uk

Further Information

If you have any further questions about our fees, please call our Registry Team on 020 8326 2301, or email: registry@west-thames.ac.uk

*Figures relate to 2009-10 and are subject to change for 2010-11.