Eligibility

All lifelong learning courses are for residents of Greater Manchester aged 19 years and over at the start of the course.

You must also have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to starting your course.  If you have lived in the UK for less than 3 years then staff will need to check immigration documentation to determine whether you are eligible.

Course fees can be made up of a tuition fee, sometimes an examination or assessment fee and a materials fee.

Pay for your course

There are several ways you can pay for your lifelong learning course.

Pay in full

If your course fee is less than £70 you must make full payment at enrolment. Your position on the course is not secure until payment has been made.

By instalments

If your course fee is £70 or more, you can pay in three equal instalments over three consecutive months in cash or via a debit/credit card.

If you withdraw from your course you will be charged the outstanding balance of the full cost of the course.

By employer

If your employer is paying for your course you must provide a letter of confirmation on letter-headed paper from your employer.

The Lifelong Learning Team will send them an invoice.

By phone

You can pay over the phone (by credit/debit card only) if your course does not require pre-course advice and guidance and if you are paying the full fee.

Please ring any centre to enrol and pay.

Examination/accreditation fees

Courses with a qualification (accredited courses) have an examination or accreditation fee.

This fee is included in the course fee for the majority of courses.

Where there are separate examination charges you will pay for these during the course.

You will not able to enrol onto any accredited courses unless you intend to achieve the award and complete the course.

This is a requirement of the funding agreement with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

If you wish to do a course without a qualification there is a range of options where you enrol each term.

Books and equipment

You may need stationery, textbooks or other materials for some subjects.

Please refer to the course information sheet or ask your tutor at your first class before buying any items.

You may be able to borrow books from your library

Concessionary status

Our Courses:

Learners entitled to a concessionary rate do not pay any fees for our courses that are funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

If you receive a benefit, proof of this must be shown when you enrol for your course.

Please bring original documents as we are unable to accept photocopies. All our courses are for adults aged 19 years and over.

You qualify for a concessionary rate on our courses if you are:

  • Unemployed and in receipt of Job Seeker’s Allowance.
  • Unemployed and in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance (work-related activity only).
  • Unemployed and in receipt of Universal Credit (work-related requirements group, work preparation group or work-focused group).
  • Unemployed, in receipt of another state benefit and studying a course that may help you gain employment.
  • Unemployed and seeking work, not in receipt of any benefits and studying a course that may help you gain employment.
  • Employed and earning less than £25,000 annual gross salary (or less than £32,000 if studying a Level 3 course).
  • Studying a Maths or English (Skills for Life) course

You will need to discuss this with one of our Information, Advice and Guidance staff before you enrol.

If you have difficulty paying the course fees and are on a low income you can apply to the Discretionary Learner Support Fund for financial support when you enrol.

Specialist courses and small groups

There are some courses not funded by the GMCA offered at competitive rates.

Refunds

You will only get a refund if your class closes or if you give advance notice no later than one week before the course start date that you wish to withdraw. If you withdraw later than this you will not be entitled to a refund and if you are paying by instalment you will be charged the outstanding balance of the full cost of the course.

Oldham Lifelong Learning Service tries to provide courses and services as published.

If the Service needs to alter, postpone or cancel courses or services (e.g. a course may close or merge because there aren't enough learners) the Oldham Lifelong Learning Service cannot be held liable for any additional costs incurred by you because of the changes.

The Service makes every effort to find a suitable alternative for you if a change does happen.