Advanced Learner Loans

Advanced Learner Loans are available to help learners aged 19 and over cover the cost of tuition for eligible Level 3–6 courses. These loans are provided by the UK Government and are designed to make studying more accessible for adult learners.

Applying is simple — your household income isn’t assessed, there’s no credit check, and you only start repaying once you’re earning over £27,295 a year*.

*For loans taken out for courses starting from 1 August 2025.

Who Can Apply?

You may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan if:

• You are 19 or over on the first day of your course (no upper age limit).
• You live in the UK on the first day of your course and have lived in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for the last three years (unless you meet an exception listed at www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan/eligibility).
• You are enrolling on an eligible Level 3–6 qualification, including Access to HE Diplomas and vocational courses.
• Your chosen course is approved for loan funding — our Admissions Team can confirm this when you apply.

You can also use the Student Loans Company eligibility checker for guidance (Eligibility tool for Advanced Learner Loan | Student Finance England).

How Much Can I Borrow?

The loan amount depends on:

• Your chosen course
• The fee charged by the College
• The maximum loan amount set by the Government

The minimum loan you can apply for is £300.
 You can borrow up to the full fee or choose to pay part of the cost yourself. In some cases, the course fee may be higher than the maximum loan available.

Support With Childcare

Advanced Learner Loans only cover tuition fees. However, depending on your household income, you may be eligible for additional financial support from the College to help with childcare costs. Our Student Services team can advise you further.

Loan Repayments

You will begin repaying your loan once you have completed your course and are earning over £27,295 per year*.
 If you leave your course early, you will still be required to repay the loan.

*For loans taken out for courses beginning from 1 August 2019 onwards.

Loans for Access to Higher Education Diplomas

If you take out a loan for an Access to HE Diploma and then go on to complete a Higher Education qualification, the remaining balance of your Advanced Learner Loan will be written off.

To qualify:

• You must fully complete both the Access to HE course and the HE qualification.
• The HE course must be eligible for funding by Student Finance England (you do not need to take out a loan for it).
• The HE course does not need to be related to your Access to HE Diploma.
• Only one Access to HE loan is permitted — if you withdraw, you cannot apply for another.

How to Apply

1. Choose your course and submit an application to the College.
2. Once you have been interviewed and offered a place, you will receive a Learning and Funding Information Letter.
3. Use the details in this letter to complete your Advanced Learner Loan application via Student Finance England.