Advanced Learner Loans
Learners aged 19 or over can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help pay the fees charged by colleges and training providers for courses at Level 3 and above. (Learners aged 19-23 without a first full Level 3 will still qualify for fee remission for a Level 3 course as this will still be funded by the Government.)
If you take out a loan to pay your fees for a Access to HE Diploma and then go on to complete a degree, your Advanced Learner Loan is written off, and you don't have to pay it back.
Getting a Loan doesn't depend on your household income and there's no credit check. You won't have to pay anything back until you're earning over £494 a week or £2,143 a month (before tax and other deductions). The minimum loan amount is £300.
Do I qualify?
To qualify you must be:
- Aged 19 or over on the first day of your course (there's no upper age-limit).
- Living in the UK on the first day of your course and have lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three years immediately before this.
- Studying with a college or training organisation in England approved for public funding.
- Enrolling on an eligible course at level 3 and above which includes: A levels, Access to HE Diplomas, and other Diplomas and Certificates.
How does it work?
The applications, assessment, payments and repayments of loans will be administered by Student Finance England. The same organisation provides financial support for HE students. The loan will be paid directly to your college or training provider to cover the fees charged for your course.
Loan repayments are collected through the tax system and will only start when the individual has left their course, entered repayment and is earning more than £494 a week or £2,143 a month (before tax and other deductions). Any outstanding balance on a loan will be written off after 30 years.
Applying is easy
You can apply for a loan now for 2019-2020 courses.
We will provide you with the essential information you will need from us to complete your application, such as the course fees and course start and end dates. Please note you should contact the centre you intend to study at to get the information you will need to apply for a loan for one of their courses, as the information is different for each provider.
You can find more information and apply online on the Advanced Learner Loans webpage.
You could also speak to us for advice by phoning 0191 277 3520 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Making the right choice
It is important you consider your own circumstances and look into all options for paying for your course before choosing to take out a loan.
You can get independent financial advice from the Money Advice Service.
Find a course today!
Enrol for Spring Term!
Our new brochure is out from 25 November 2019, and it is packed full of interesting courses that will help you gain a qualification, make a career change or learn a new skill. You can get a copy of the brochure here (pdf, 7.99MB), and it will be delivered throughout the City in the new few weeks. Enrol from Monday 25 November 2019 online, by phone or in person at our centres, and speak to your tutor about the progression opportunities available.
We're thrilled to announce that Newcastle City Learning won the AAT Champion Award!
In this category the judges were looking for training providers that have made an impact in supporting their community, improving social inclusion and mobility, through the delivery of AAT qualifications.
Our new AAT accountancy courses are proving incredibly popular, and our tutor Andrea Scope was on hand to pick up the trophy at the awards ceremony. Well done everyone!
If you are interested in the courses we're running in accountancy, our new brochure will be available from 25 November 2019 with all of the details listed.
Prevent Duty
All Further Education providers have a duty to safeguard their learners and keep them safe from being exploited by extremists. The Prevent Duty is not about discouraging our learners from having political and religious views and concerns, but about supporting them to use those concerns or act on them in non-extremist ways.
Prevent Duty: If you Notice anything unusual, Check it out and them Share it by contacting 0191 277 3502 or email Julie.hickin@newcastle.gov.uk remember – Notice – Check – Share. Here is a link to our Prevent animation
Newcastle City Council (which Newcastle City Learning are part of) also have a generic email address which you can also use to report any concerns you may have about Prevent: prevent@newcastle.gov.uk
Reporting Incidents of Hate Crime: Stop Hate UK. There’s a 24hr hotline on (Freephone) 0800 138 1625. People can text on 0771 798 9025. Online reports can also be taken at www.stophateuk.org.
There have been changes to how education courses are funded for learners over 19 years old. Level 3 and above courses will no longer be funded by the Government (unless you are aged 19-23 years old and it is your first full Level 3 qualification) but you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover your course fees.
If this loan is to fund an Access to HE Diploma leading to a completed degree, your Advanced Learner Loan will be written off so you don't have to pay it back.
It doesn't matter about your household income or even credit checks to qualify for a loan, and you don't have to pay anything back until you are earning over £25,725 a year.
Loans are available for people living in the UK on the first day of their course and have lived in this country, the Channel Islands of the Isle of Man for three years immediately before this.
Talk to our centre reception staff to get more details and your course offer letter which will have the information you will need to complete your loan application.