Fees, Funding & Bursaries

Bursary Applications live between 15 - 29 November 2024

If you're under the age of 19 (on 31 August of the academic year your course starts) and you meet the eligibility criteria, your course is FREE. You may be required to pay a resource fee and educational visit costs; however financial support is available for those who need it (subject to family income level).

If you are aged 19 or over (on 31 August of the academic year your course starts) you are no longer automatically entitled to free education. However, you may be eligible for a partial or full tuition fee waiver (see below).

For further information, please get in touch with our Bursary Department at studentbursary@osc.ac.uk or by calling 01737 788486.

Tuition Fees

All tuition fees are payable annually. Fees quoted will be for the current academic year. Further fees will be payable in subsequent years for courses of more than 1-year duration.
 

Material Fees

Material fees may be applicable for some courses; these fees are payable annually. Certain courses may require you to buy uniform, protective clothing, footwear and/or tools.
 

Tuition Fee Waivers 

Level 2 Courses and Below:

1. If you are aged 19-23 on 31 August 2024 and you are undertaking your first full Level 2 qualification
2. If you are in receipt of a means-tested benefit and are receiving a low income, or are unemployed
3. If you are working and your income is less than £25,000, or £25,642 if you are resident within the Greater London Authority Area

Level 3 and 4 Courses

1. If you are aged 19-23 on 31 August 2024 and you are undertaking your first full Level 3 qualification
2. If you are aged 19 or over, you do not have a full Level 3 qualification, and the course you are enrolling on is on the National Skills Fund list
3. If you are aged 19 or over, the course you are enrolling on is on the National Skills Fund list, and you meet one of the following criteria:
   i. If you are working and your income is less than £25,000, or £25,642 and you are resident within the Greater London Authority Area
   ii. If you are in receipt of a means-tested benefit and are receiving a low income, or are unemployed
   iii. You are applying for an Advanced Learner Loan

Payment Methods

When do I have to pay the fees?

All fees are payable at the time of enrolment. For courses costing £400 or more, it may be possible to pay the fees by instalment, with the first instalment due at the time of enrolment. Instalment Agreements are available on request with at least 25% of the fee being due at 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.

How can I pay?

Payments can be made in cash, cheque (payable to John Ruskin College) or credit/debit cards.

Fee Remission

If you are receiving certain means tested benefits you may be eligible for remission of tuition fees. Proof of benefit will need to be supplied at enrolment.

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@johnruskin.ac.uk to request a copy.

Refunds

The College operates a strict no refund policy. However, fees will be refunded in full if the College finds it necessary to cancel your course. View the College refund policy here. 
 

Financial Assistance

Student Bursary Fund

John Ruskin College receives money from the Education and Skills Funding Agency to provide a bursary scheme to help support those with a total household income of £36,000 or below. Bursary funds provide financial support to overcome specific barriers to participation so you can remain in or return to education. The scheme can provide contributions towards your costs such as transport, lunches, essential kits or equipment, resource and material fees, educational visits and childcare for the days you attend college. Any support you receive will be subject to the conditions outlined on our bursary form.
 

For more information and financial advice, you can contact our Student Bursary Adviser on 0208 651 1131 or email studentbursary@osc.ac.uk.

Course Viability

The College runs courses in a cost-effective manner, and this will normally be determined by the number of students enrolled on a course. If at the start of the course the numbers are too low to make the course viable, the College reserves the right to cancel.
 

International Students

The Government has introduced new legislation limiting the number of international students able to study in the UK. For further details, see www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. At the present time we are not taking any applications from students who are currently residing overseas but will review this decision on a regular basis.