CURRENT COURSES
We have a dedicated team of staff in the Higher Education & Skills Centre who are always happy to help. Click on our Higher Education & Skills Centre Current Prospectus link for a list of our current courses or ring our Information Line on 0161–666 8215 during college opening hours and we will always try to supply you with the course information that you need.
College Hours
Monday 9.00am – 4.00pm
Tuesday 9.00am – 4.00pm
Wednesday 9.00am – 9.00pm
Thursday 9.00am – 9.00pm
Friday 9.00am – 4.00pm
Financial Help for Adults
If you are aged 19 or over, living in England and thinking of improving your skills or getting a qualification, there may be funding available to help you complete your course successfully. This could include help with things like books, transport and child care as well as course fees.
If you are receiving benefits, your Local Benefits Agency office will be able to tell you exactly where you stand, but you can usually receive help to cover course fees, transport, books and equipment and this won't affect your entitlement.
Financial support will depend on the type of course you are considering, if you want to study full or part-time, if you are combining work with learning and if you have special needs or a disability.
Please contact Lisa Pagan on 0161–666 8215 or use this email form for further details.
Fee Remission
Learners in receipt of the following income-based benefits/credits may claim tuition fee remission for accredited courses, but will have to meet the costs of any exam or registration fees associated with their course.
• Council Tax Benefit
• Housing Benefit
• Incapacity Benefit (income-based only)
• Income-Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income support
• Pension Credit (over 60s, Guaranteed Credit only)
• Working Tax Credit (providing total household income does not exceed £15,050)
• Asylum seekers and refugees in receipt of the equivalent of income based benefit
We also offer tuition fee remission to learners aged 16 to 18 years.
Learners on a low income who do not fall into the above categories may be able to apply to the Learner Support Fund once they have enrolled on their course, and their case will be assessed.
1) If you are studying while not working, the following may be available to you.
• Learner Support Fund
• Grants and bursaries
• Career Development Loan
2) If you are combining work and learning, the following help may be available:
• Career Development Loan
• Tax Credits
3) If you are a refugee, the following help may be available to you:
• Fee Remission
• Learner Support Fund
Here's an outline of available funding...
Learner Support Fund
If you are a lone parent or on benefits or a low income, we may be able to contribute to the costs of your child care (which may include nurseries, child minders and after school clubs).
Funds may also be available to help with the cost of studying such as course fees, books and equipment. You need to be enrolled on a course to apply and your case is assessed according to your circumstances.
Grants and Bursaries
These are one-off payments available for students studying particular subjects. Ask your Local Education Authority and local library for a list of organisations offering grants, or check with Lisa Pagan on 0161–666 8215 or email for further details.
Career Development Loan
This is a deferred repayment commercial bank loan to help pay for vocational education or learning. The Department of Education and Skills is working in partnership with 4 banks: Barclays, The Co-op, Clydesdale and the Royal Bank of Scotland. These loans can cover up to 80% of course fees or 100% if you have been out of work for more than three months. Contact Lisa Pagan at Ashton Sixth Form College on 0161–666 8215 or contact one of the participating banks.
Asylum Seekers
You can only apply for financial help once your status has been confirmed. You may then be able to get help from the college's Learner Support Fund. You can apply for help if you, your husband or wife or your parents have been officially granted refugee status in the UK.
Train to Gain Funded Courses
Some of our programmes are funded through Train to Gain. This programme is suitable for individuals, local businesses, and community and voluntary organisations in Tameside.
For details of current Train to Gain supported programmes, contact Jean Clewes on 0161–330 2330.
Basic Skills Courses
Basic skills courses are free to all learners.
Administration Fee
An administration fee will be charged to learners enrolling. This charge will be made each and every time a learner enrols on a course.
How to Apply
Information and Enrolment Evenings:
If you would like to enrol for one or more of our adult courses, the next enrolment takes place at Ashton Sixth Form College, Darnton Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 9RL on:
• Tuesday 5th January (between 5.30pm and 8pm)
• Tuesday 20th April (between 5.30pm and 8pm)
• Tuesday 15th June (between 5.30pm and 8pm)
Higher Education Open Evenings:
• Tuesday 20th April (between 6pm and 8pm)
• Tuesday 15th June (between 6pm and 8pm)
For All courses
You can obtain information at anytime about our courses from Lisa Pagan by calling 0161 666 8215.
For English and Maths courses
Contact Lisa Pagan 0161–666 8215 or Madeline Edwards on 0161–666 8222 as you can start these courses throughout the year.
For I.T. courses
Contact Lisa Pagan on 0161–666 8215 or Lynne Dolan on 0161–666 8221 as you can start these courses throughout the year.
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