Student finance for higher education (HE) learners
Lower tuition fees aren’t the only benefit to studying a higher education at college. Bursary funding is available too for learners who need help with course costs.
HE Loans & Bursary
Student Finance England offer means-tested loans/grants offering HE students some funding towards their course.
Once students have applied for courses through UCAS, it is important that they begin to complete their application for student finance. Applicants can do this via this link: www.gov.uk/studentfinance
It is really important that applicants apply for funding as soon as possible in order to ensure their funding is in place. It can take at least six weeks to process applications. Applicants don’t need a confirmed place and can use their preferred course and change the details later.
For students who live elsewhere in the UK, further information about financial support can be found on the following government websites:
- Northern Ireland: studentfinanceni.co.uk
- Scotland: saas.gov.uk
- Wales: studentfinancewales.co.uk
Walsall College does not make provision directly for International Students.
The HE Bursary of £800 per academic year is automatically granted to the HE students who are eligible for it. This is classified as a bursary, and is managed differently and separately to the Financial Hardship Fund. Students are assessed for the HE Bursary based on their household income.
The thresholds for the HE Bursary are as below:
| Joint income if living with spouse/partner OR single applicant living independently |
Single applicants living with parents or guardians |
| Up to £40,000 | Up to £10,000 |
Applicants to our HE provision are encouraged to apply for the HE Bursary at the point of enrolment and are supported in doing so on an individual basis. Evidence of household income is assessed as part of the bursary application process and if evidence meets the criteria, the bursary is given automatically.
The Financial Hardship Fund is not automatically granted, as this is only made available to students who can demonstrate they are experiencing severe financial difficulty. The College also offer ‘in-kind’ services such as reduced on-site gym membership and free breakfasts and a subsidised place at the College nursery (Childcare Bursary), subject to availability.
All bursaries and hardship funds are reviewed annually in accordance with the College’s Bursary and Free Meals Policy and Procedure.
Those HE students who may be eligible for The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) are supported in their application by the College’s Inclusive Support Department.
HE students will be potentially eligible to receive support from the Bursary award, only once your higher education loan has been approved by the Student Loans Company for your tuition fee.
Full time course
| Household Income | Percentage of award | Maximum Grant per annum (Paid over three payments) |
| £0 - £24,999 | 100% | £900 |
| £25,000 - £30,000 | 75% | £675 |
| £30,001 - £40,000 | 50% | £450 |
Part time course
| Household Income | Percentage of award | Maximum Grant per annum (Paid over three payments) |
| £0 - £24,999 | 100% | £500 |
| £25,000 - £30,000 | 75% | £375 |
| £30,001 - £40,000 | 50% | £250 |
Childcare is not available through the bursary; however, you can get additional funding for this through your higher education loan.
Apply online through the Online Bursary Applications System
If you require any support with your application for funding please contact our Customer Service Team in the atrium. Alternatively, please give us a call on 01922 657000 and ask to speak to a member of the team.
Higher Education students with a support need can apply for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) using the following link - https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas/overview
Those HE students who may be eligible for The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) are supported in their application by the College’s Inclusive Support Department.
The support provided is determined by an external assessor and outlined in the student’s individual access report.
Studying at the college
Please search course level information on our Higher Education course information pages
The Office for Students is an independent regulator of fair access to higher education in England. An access agreement sets out a university or college’s fee limits and the access measures it intends to put in place e.g. outreach work and financial support.
The Access and Participation Plans for Walsall College cover all full time Home & EU students admitted in the academic year. The College’s Mission and Strategic Plan outlines a clear commitment to widening and increasing participation in Higher Education, regardless of any potential barriers associated with previous experience, background or any other factors.
Click here to view the Access and Participation Plan 2020/21 to 2024/25 for Walsall College
Click here to view Condition C3 of the Student Protection Plan
Course Fees
Think you simply can't afford to get on course for the career you want? You can at Walsall College.
Course fees at university cost anywhere up to £9,000 per year, whereas at Walsall College a typical HNC/D costs £5,900 (£2,995 for part time) and a Level 6 top-up costs £7,500 a year which represents great value for money!
As well as lower fees, students on higher education courses at Walsall College will also benefit from smaller class sizes and personalised tuition, accredited by The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education.
Studying at the college
Our HE tuition fees are charged annually at the start of each academic year. HE students can apply to pay their tuition fees by instalment. More information can be found within our Walsall College Fees Policy or by speaking to our Customer Service Team on 01922 657000.
The College’s main HE partner is Pearson whereby the majority of programmes form part of the well-respected and established suit of BTEC Higher National Diplomas. Pearson HE courses are studied mostly as full-time and are the equivalent of one academic year in duration. They are stand-alone courses at level 4 and level 5. On the successful completion of level 4, students have the option to progress to the level 5 course, be that at the College or elsewhere.
| Full-Time 2022-23 HE Annual Fees | |
| HNC (Level 4) or HND (Level 5) | |
| Returning | New |
| £5,900 | £5,900 |
There are options available to study Walsall College Pearson HNC level 4 and HND level 5 courses, via a part-time mode, where each course/level can be studied over the equivalent of two academic years.
| Part – Time 2022-23 HE Annual Fees | |
| HNC (Level 4) or HND (Level 5) | |
| Returning | New |
| £2,995 | £2,995 |
For two-year part time courses, The College may increase fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government, if permitted by law or government policy, in the second and subsequent years of the course. It is anticipated that such increases will be linked to RPI (the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).
In terms of students wanting to progress to a higher level course (for example, HNC level 4 to HND level 5 or from HND level 5 to Level 6), the College publishes its fees for each two academic consecutive years ahead, at the end of every April. This will enable students to review costs of not only the course they are considering, but of the subsequent progression level course, if they chose to remain and progress at the College.
The College aims to offer excellent value for money at all levels of study and will review this on an annual basis in line with local providers as well as outcomes for learners and learner satisfaction.
Partnership with Universities
The College’s strategy for HE includes programmes which are validated by a partner universities. We offer a level 6 programme through formal partnership with Staffordshire University. We also offer a level 5 Diploma in Education and Training in formal partnership with the Birmingham City University (BCU).
HE partnership provision fees are set by the partner / validating University and will be subject to their own OFFA Access Agreements and pricing policies.
Studying at the college
Level 6 top-up courses delivered in partnership with Walsall College are £7,500 for the 2022-23 academic year.
Diploma in Education and Training delivered in partnership Walsall College is £2,250 for the 2022-23 academic year.
There may be additional costs to your studies that are not included in the course fee, such as:
- The cost of additional examinations for any award other than the intended award.
- The cost of personal membership to professional bodies.
- Additional materials beyond the supplied standard provision
- Optional field trips and activities for personal development.
- Travel costs to and from placements.
- The cost of any Criminal Records Bureau Check or Occupational Health Assessment where these are required either by the college or a placement provider.
- Printing and Photocopying.
- Library Fees and Fines.
- Own purchase Text Books.
Students can apply for extra financial support through loans and bursaries to cover the cost dependant on eligibility.
The Office for Fair Access is the independent regulator of fair access to higher education in England. An access agreement sets out a university or college’s fee limits and the access measures it intends to put in place e.g. outreach work and financial support.
The Access Agreement between Walsall College and the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) covers all full time Home & EU students admitted in the academic year 18/19. The College’s Mission and Strategic Plan outlines a clear commitment to widening and increasing participation in Higher Education, regardless of any potential barriers associated with previous experience, background or any other factors.