Course fees and discounts

Funding

Most of our adult education classes and qualifications are part or fully funded by the Department for Education (DfE) through the devolved East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

Our DfE Adult Skills Fund (ASF) provides funding for eligible adults aged nineteen or over on 31st August 2026.

Before you enrol onto a class, we will check to see if you are eligible for funding and for any of the fee remissions in this section.

Our funding is for individuals who are ordinarily resident in the EMCCA devolved area with an aim to engage and train adults to provide the skills and learning they need to progress into, or within, work; or equip them for an apprenticeship or other learning.

Residency eligibility

To book and enrol on one of our Adult Skills Funded courses, your home address must have a postcode in the EMCCA region covering Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire.

You must be ordinarily resident in England and be able to show evidence of your legal right to reside in the UK with access to education.

Tailored learning fees

Full fee (no concession)

Our Tailored Learning class fees are £5 per hour.

Some classes also have additional materials costs to pay.

Fully funded classes (no fees)

We have a range of fully funded Essential Skills classes aimed at developing learners’ skills and confidence to engage in activities that support them into employment and as first steps into further learning.

There are also a range of fully funded Family Learning classes to equip parents and carers to support their child’s learning and to develop stronger communities.

Standard concessions - Gold Card 10%

10% fee discount will be given to Derbyshire Gold Card holders.

Other concessions

If you can provide evidence of the following, you may be eligible for a full fee remission, meaning your Tailored Learning course fees will be fully funded by the EMCCA DfE Adult Skills Funding:

• you are unemployed and claiming benefits totalling less than £26,800 per annum
• you are self-employed and earning below £26,800 gross annual salary
• you are employed and earning below £26,800 gross annual salary.

Qualification fees

Full fee (no concession)

If you are employed and earn more than £26,800 gross salary per year, the government will fund 50% of the standard course fees for you. 

There will be an extra fee to cover courses that include an exam or require a registration. To check if this applies to your course ask one of our staff or have a look at the course information on our website.

Other concessions

If you can provide evidence of the following, you may be eligible for full fee remission (your course and exam fees may be covered by ESFA funding):

• you are unemployed and claiming benefits totalling less than £26,800 per annum
• you are self-employed and earning below £26,800 gross annual salary
• you are employed and earning below £26,800 gross annual salary.

   

Sign Language offer

British Sign Language courses at level 1 will be fully funded for:

• learners who are deaf or hearing impaired
• the spouse or civil partner of a deaf or hearing-impaired person
• the parent or carer of a deaf or hearing-impaired person or child
• Maths, English, and digital skills

Maths, English and Digital Skills

Our maths and English courses up to level 2 are fully funded to anyone who does not already have these qualifications at GCSE (grades A* to C or 4 to 9) or an equivalent.

Our essential digital skills courses are fully funded for anyone who needs to build their confidence and skills at entry level and level 1.

Exam fees

Standard exam fees

We fund one initial exam attempt for each fully funded learner, where an exam or controlled assessment forms part of the accredited qualification.

Learners who are co-funded will pay a contribution to the fees, including any exam fees.

Exam resit fees

A resit may be offered where the exam awarding body permits it and where the learner has: 

• maintained good attendance and engagement
• completed all required learning and assessment activities
• followed tutor guidance and attended any recommended support sessions.

Tutors will complete a brief readiness check to confirm that a resit is appropriate and likely to lead to improvement. 

Payment for exam resits

We do not subsidise resits except in the case of English, Maths and EDSQ Digital Skills entitlement exams, or exceptional circumstances approved by the Curriculum Manager (for example, an administrative error or documented mitigating circumstances). 

The learner is therefore usually responsible for paying the full cost of any resit, including exam awarding‑body fees and any additional administration costs. 

Payment must be made in full before the resit entry is submitted to the awarding body – the exams team will advise of the fee amount.  

Help with fees

If you are experiencing genuine financial difficulties, you may be able to apply for help with some of your course costs.

Talk to our enquiries team on 01332 956565 or speak to one of our centre staff about our Hardship Support Fund. Information can also be found in the Hardship Support Fund Policy.

Payment options

You will need to pay for your course and exam fees when you enrol.

For some of our longer courses, we offer the option to spread the cost and pay by instalments.

For level 3 and 4 qualifications you may be eligible to apply for a 19+ Advanced Learner Loan to pay for your course fees.