The average fees charged by colleges for both examination and non-vocational courses has remained the same. Higher fees are usually charged where there are high equipment costs, additional overheads, additional staffing or smaller class sizes. Additional charges for materials are made in around four-fifths of LEAs. Fees are waived for students on means tested benefits doing examination courses. Some providers also waive fees for such students, and other low-income groups, on other courses.
Some courses aimed at learners from disadvantaged groups are free.
Concessions may be given on those fees to people on various means tested benefits, or other groups such as the unemployed, people with disabilities or young people. The exact category of students eligible for concessionary fees varies between providers. The most generous concessions tend to be given to the unemployed, those on means tested benefits and people with learning difficulties. However there is a general trend away from giving concessions to particular groups of people, and towards using low income, usually judged by the receipt of means-tested benefits, as a criterion for concessions. In addition to the hourly tuition fee, around half of providers, charge a registration fee for both examination and non-vocational courses.