Course Fees & Funding
While we endeavour to keep course fees up to date on the website, however these may change subject to government policy. Please contact us for further confirmation.
Please note: A learner's age is calculated as their age on 31st August in the academic/funding year of study, not at the date of enrolment/course start.
Learners Aged 16 to 18 years-old only*
If you are aged 16 to 18 years-old (*or up to 25 years-old if you have a statement of special education needs or education, health and care plan) you will not usually need to pay course fees. Kit and PPE may be free if your household income is less than £32,000 per annum.
Adult learners aged 19+ (without an Education, Health & Care Plan)
Adult learners will normally be asked to pay either the full or a proportion of the cost of the course dependant on the area in which they live.
The College is funded to provide a range of courses to residents living in the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (North East MSA), the seven local authority areas of County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
If you do not live in the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority area, please contact us to discuss fees. We may offer our level 2 and level 3 courses on a commercial/full cost basis, and the Advanced Learner Loan may be available at Level 3 or above.
There are several types of fee remissions for learners in the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority. These include learners aged 19-23 without a full level 2 or 3, those in receipt of income less than £32,000 (including unemployment benefits) and learners who do not have Maths or English at grade 4 (grade C) or above.
Learners Aged 19 to 23 years-old only
For full Level 2 qualifications and ESOL qualifications up to level 2, you may not have to pay any tuition fees if you are 19 – 23 at the start of your course and haven’t already got a full Level 2 qualification, such as five GCSEs at grade C or above or an NVQ Level 2.
For some courses below Level 2 you may not have to pay any tuition fees if you are 19-23 at the start of your course, haven’t already got a full Level 2 qualification, such as five GCSEs at grade C or above or an NVQ Level 2, and plan to continue onto a full Level 2 course.
If you have got a full Level 2 Qualification you may be eligible for fee remission if you are unemployed, on an income less than £32,000, enrolling to Maths & English or flexible learning.
For full Level 3 courses you may not have to pay any tuition fees if you are over 19 -23 at the start of your course and do not already have a full Level 3 qualification, such as two or more A Levels or an NVQ Level 3.
An Advanced Learner Loan is available for individuals who already have a Level 3 qualification.
More details on Advanced Learner Loans can be found by visiting the government website.
Learners aged 24+
Learners who are aged 24 or over at the start of the academic year and wish to do a Level 2 programme or maths and English may be entitled to fee remission due to unemployment, low wage, Maths & English or Flexibility qualifications.
Some Level 3 qualifications may be remitted through Free Courses for Jobs however many qualifications will have the option of taking an Advanced Learner loan for levels 3 and above.
Instalment payments are available to those who pay course fees in up to 10 instalments, however all fees must be paid in full one month before the course expected end date.
Types of Fee Remission
Legal Entitlements
Learners are eligible for fee remission if they do not have a ~Full level 2 qualification. Level 2 equates to five GCSEs at grade C or above or an NVQ Level 2.
Learners aged 19-23 are eligible for remission for their 1st full level 3 qualification. Level 3 qualifications equate to two or more A Levels or an NVQ Level 3.
Learners in receipt of low wage
You may qualify for full funding, if your income is below the earnings threshold and you live in a North East MSA postcode area.
The earnings threshold which enables learners to be fully funded is below £32,000 (as of 1st August 2026), regardless of whether you are currently in paid employment or not.
Please note: The College must see evidence of the learner's gross annual wages in these circumstances. This could be a wage slip or a Universal Credit statement within 3 months of the learner’s learning start date, or a current employment contract which states gross monthly/annual wages for example.
English & Maths
English and maths are funded for anyone aged 19 or above if they do NOT have a GCSE at grade C (grade 4) or higher on the day they enrol providing they live in a North East MSA postcode area. Proof of address will be required at enrolment via Bank Statement, government letter, utility bill etc. Learners outside the North East MSA will be required to pay course fees
Proof of benefits and income
Proof of benefits and income must be produced at enrolment. Your place on any course is not secured until all requested evidence has been received and checked against eligibility criteria and a signed learning agreement is completed, with payment (where applicable).
Higher Education Courses
As our Foundation Degree courses are delivered in partnership with the University of Sunderland the up-to-date fees are applicable and listed on the university's website. Please visit The University of Sunderland website, find the course and check the fees. For admission information please email admissions@sunderland.ac.uk
Apply for Financial Support
You can now apply online for financial support and student bursary from East Durham College via our Pay My Student portal.
Click on the link below to make your application:
https://eastdurham.paymystudent.com/portal/
Once we receive your application and evidence, we will assess your application and confirm what support you are eligible to receive.
Any Questions?
Please call Student Services on 0191 518 8222 to discuss your personal circumstances and options.
Transport to and from East Durham College - Academic Year 26/27
East Durham College will continue to offer a free shuttle service between Houghall Campus, The Technical Academy and Willerby Grove to support travel between all college campuses.
All other transport to and from East Durham College will be provided by Arriva and Go Northeast and accessed using a pay‑as‑you‑go travel card which will be issued during enrolment.
Learners who live in a household with an annual income of £80,000 or less* will receive 100% of their eligible transport costs for travel to and from East Durham College (all campuses), ensuring transport is not a barrier to accessing education.
