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Concessions


» Full-time courses


Your tuition fees may be waived if you:
  • are on JSA or ESA (work activity group)

AND

  • have lived in the UK for the last three years.

You may also qualify for up to 100% discount on your tuition fee if you are:

  • studying your first full Level 2 qualification and are aged 19 years or above on 31 August 2011 

OR

  • studying your first full Level 3 qualification and are aged 19–24 on the start date of your course.

» Part-time courses


The concession fee listed under the course entry is the fee you pay if you are eligible for 100% discount on your tuition fee. This means that the cost of your tuition fee is covered by the College, but that you still have to pay exam, registration and Bedford College resource fees.

Fee concessions may be available if:

  • You are in receipt of jobseekers allowance or ESA (work activity group) 
  • The course is your first full Level 2 qualification and you are aged 19 or above on 31 August 2011 and the course has a L2 symbol in the course guide. 
  • The course is your first full Level 3 qualification and you are aged 19–24 on the start date of your course and the course has a L3 symbol in the course guide.

If you are unsure about whether you qualify for any of the above concessions, please call our Enquiries & Guidance advice line on 01234 291000.


Are you aged between 16 and 18?

If you are aged 16–18 you will normally be eligible for up to 100% discount on your fee. Courses are only free if there is a 16–18 symbol next to the course in the course guide. The only cost you will need to pay is for equipment and materials that are required for some courses. For courses starting between September and December you will need to be aged 16–18 on 31 August 2011, and for courses starting between January and July you will need to be 16–18 on 1 January 2011.

Please note:

If your attendance falls below 85%, you may be asked to pay the awarding body registration and exam fees.

This discount only applies to courses that are funded by the government – call our Enquiries & Guidance advice line on 01234 291000 for more information.


» Degree-level courses


The information below outlines the help that is available to higher education students.

Full-time study

If you are planning to study for a full-time HNC, HND or foundation degree, you DO NOT NEED TO PAY YOUR TUITION FEE UPFRONT.

You can take out a loan to pay the tuition fees, and you will only need to pay this back once you have completed your course and are earning a good salary.

Bedford College will be charging £1,345 per year for full-time HNCs and HNDs. Foundation degrees run in association with the University of Bedfordshire will be £3,375 per year.

There is an online application process for students living in England who wish to apply for a tuition fee loan. To apply or to find our more visit the Student Finance website.


Please note for HNCs, HNDs and foundation degrees:

If you have not been living in the UK for the last three years, or if you are on a student visa, please contact us on (+44) (0)1234 291000 from abroad first as different fees may apply.

If you choose to study a full-time HNC, HND or foundation degree, as well as receiving a tuition fee loan you could also receive:


Grant (non-repayable)

The Government has introduced a Maintenance Grant of up to £2,906 per year for UK students. The grant is available to anyone whose family income is less than £50,000 per year, and the exact amount awarded will depend on your circumstances.


Student loan (repayable)

You can also get a student loan of up to £4,950 per year – to apply visit Student Finance online. These are low interest schemes, and you will not have to start making repayments until after you have completed your studies and you are earning £15,000 a year or more.


Part-time study

If you are planning to study part-time, for some courses you may apply to your Local Authority to help with tuition fees and a part-time grant of £255*. To find out whether your course qualifies for support, call us on 01234 291934.

* Based on previous years' entry. Figures may vary.


» To apply


To apply for support and further information, please contact the Local Authority where you live.

Please note: These fees and loans apply to students from England. If you are from Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland or anywhere else in the EU, please visit Direct.gov for more details.