We aim to make learning available to everyone. Our fees are structured to ensure our courses are accessible to all parts of the community.
Please note, we no longer accept cash payments. Please contact us if you need any help with this.
Fees are found against each of the courses listed on this website along with concessionary rates where applicable.
Free Courses Available
British Citizen
Or have settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme (depending on the course funding criteria)
Or have one of the following immigration statuses:
International learners pay a higher fee because government funding does not cover the cost of your learning. You will be classified as an overseas/international learner if you have not been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years preceding the start of your course or if you have any restrictions on your stay. A visa does not constitute ordinary residence. If you are unsure of your status and for details of course fees, please check with our enrolment staff on 020 7297 7297.
On means-tested benefits:
We need to see evidence received within the past 3 months and it must be in the learner’s name.
Or earn less that the London Living Wage (for Greater London residents) or National Living Wage (for those living outside Greater London)
The London Living Wage is currently £25,642.50 annually as of 24 October 2023.
The National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over is £22,308 annually as of April 2024.
We need to see evidence received within the past 3 months and it must be in the learner’s name.
Or for free Level 3 provision, must not have any qualification at Level 3 or higher
The course must be on the list of funded courses provided by the GLA or ESFA.
Depending on British Citizenship, a combination of the below documentation will be required:
Advanced learner loans are available for individuals aged 19 or above to undertake approved qualifications at Levels 3 to 6 at an approved provider in England. These loans give you access to financial support for tuition costs similar to that available in higher education and are administered by Student Finance England. You can find out more at www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan
www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan
It is important that you make the right choices taking your circumstances into account before you choose to take out a loan. www.moneyhelper.org.uk has impartial advice.
Time credits are a community currency that brings people, organisations and businesses together through the sharing of time.
A time credit is earned for every hour that a volunteer gives to their community, which they can spend on an hour an activity that will improve their or their community’s lives. This can be adult education courses, exercise at local leisure centres, family trips to attractions they might not normally be able to afford or even watching a film at a local cinema.
WAES is offering opportunities to spend time credits on our short courses. The Head of Learner Experience will determine if there are places available for time creditors on each course.
The value is calculated as 1 hour’s training = 1 time credit. On some courses, there may be a further charge for materials at the discretion of the Head of Learner Experience.
Time credits cannot be accepted as part payment. If a course does not run, time creditors will be entitled to a full refund in the form of time credits (there is no cash value).
How to spend your Time Credits with WAES:
Many learners are entitled to full fee remission:
You may be able to pay in instalments for courses that run over two or more terms. Please ask an adviser about paying in instalments when you enrol.
Please see our Fees Policy for information about Refunds, which can be found here.
Email: info@waes.ac.uk
Phone: 020 7297 7297
The Learner Bursary provides financial support to assist learners aged 19 or above who are experiencing difficulty in meeting the costs associated with their learning.
This includes those who may need a contribution towards:
To be eligible for funds from the Learner Bursary, learners must be aged 19 years or older and must be studying an Adult Education Budget qualification course. Learners will also need to demonstrate that they are on a low income or accessing means tested benefits.
Please note that learners enrolled on Community and Cultural Learning, Full Cost or Advanced Learner Loan funded programmes are not eligible to apply.
Eligible learners must be in receipt of one of the following:
Alongside evidence, we also require a copy of your bank statement which clearly shows your name, address, account number and sort code.
In most cases, the application will be completed at the point of enrolment and/or Induction. Learners are entitled to one application and one course only per year. Other applications will only be accepted at the discretion of the Head of Learner Development.
For more information or to apply please speak to a member of staff in the Learner Hub or email learnerbursary@waes.ac.uk
The Learner Bursary provides a contribution towards financial support to those incurring travel expenses as part of their study.
The amount of support for travel is based on the learner’s address, the WAES centre of study and the days that the study takes place.
Contribution towards the cost of travel:
WAES will not backdate travel and applications will be processed once we have received your full application including evidence.
If you require advice about other sources of financial help, please speak to a Welfare Officer.
Further information is available from the Department for Education.