The Southwark Adult Learning Service

Fees for each course are shown on our course information pages for Wellbeing and life skills courses and Arts and creative courses.

Course, exam and materials fees are due on enrolment. 

Costs

The standard fee for learners is £5 per hour. Concessionary fees for learners on a means-tested benefit are £2.50 per hour.

All students (except those in basic skills and family learning classes) pay an annual non-refundable registration fee of £5.

Fees are normally payable in full before the course starts. If your course is 20 weeks or longer you can pay in instalments.

Payment options

You’ll need to complete a payment options form to qualify for instalment payments. 

Exam fees and materials fees must be paid on enrolment.

You can only pay by debit or credit card.

No cost to the learner (full fee remission)

For 2023/24, the following groups of learners are eligible for full fee remission. 

This means these learners will be fully subsidised by the ESFA/GLA and will not have to pay any fees for some courses:

• those studying basic skills literacy and numeracy courses, and family learning programmes
• those in receipt of active or unemployment benefits will not have to pay any fees to study ESOL, vocational qualification courses, full level 2 qualification courses, or other level 3 courses
• learners who are not on active or unemployment benefits, who are aged 19 to 23 and are studying vocational qualification courses or their first full level 2 qualification course (excluding ESOL) will not have to pay any fees for those courses

Learners in employment, on an accredited course, and who are earning less than £25,300.60 annual gross salary/London Living Wage currently set at £13.15 per hour may be eligible to have their tuition fees, exam and registration costs waived for their part-time course; this is referred to as full-fee remission. 

This is subject to GLA terms and conditions regarding funding. You will need to provide evidence, including three monthly payslips. This is not available for Community Learning courses. Please ask at the time of enrolment.
 

You can get a discount on course fees if you get:  

• Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
• Employment and Support Allowance in the Work Related Activity Group (ESA WRAG)
• Universal Credit (UC) (subject to ESFA/GLA terms and conditions)
• any other means-tested benefits (you’ll need to show proof)

If you’re retired and your only source of income is the state pension, you’re eligible for a discounted fee if you’re also receiving one of these benefits.

Please bring proof of benefit or entitlement with you when you enrol.

We cannot accept Freedom travel passes as proof of eligibility.
 

The Discretionary Learner Support Fund is used to help learners in exceptional financial circumstances on courses with accreditation.

Find out more by calling 020 7358 2100 or emailing adultlearning@southwark.gov.uk.

You’ll normally need to enrol online but with some courses you’ll need to enrol in person. 

You can check our pages for Wellbeing and life skills courses and Arts and creative courses to find out what you need to do for the course you want.

You can contact us to get the Adult learning enrolment form 2024 to 2025. 

You can enrol in person for:

• ESOL
• English
• computing courses
• maths courses

You’ll need an appointment for an assessment.

To secure your place on a course, provide evidence of your eligibility and pay any fees. 

We cannot reserve your place without payment.
 

By signing the student declaration and learning agreement on the enrolment form, you agreed to attend regularly. 

You must attend at least 80% of the possible sessions.

If your course is accredited and you do not attend 80% of the sessions, you may not be able to take the exam.

Individual learning plans

As a funding requirement, all learners must complete an individual learning plan (ILP) with their tutor.
 

If we cancel a course before the start date, we will give you a full refund. 

If we close a course after it has started, we will give you a part refund. 

We are unable to refund your fees if you withdraw from a course, unless you're too ill to continue with your studies and have provided a doctor’s certificate. 
 

There is additional learning support available where possible. We make reasonable adjustments for students with a disability.

Thomas Calton Centre is accessible for wheelchair users and parking is available for Blue Badge holders.

For more information, call 020 7358 2100.

Contact us if you'd like a copy of any information in another format, such as large print. 
 

Our staff can sort out most problems straight away, without you having to make a formal complaint.

However, if you want to complain we've tried to make it as easy as possible.

If you want to make a complaint, visit Southwark's Complaints and feedback page or email sscomplaints@southwark.gov.uk .