Cost of Sixth Form Colleges and
How to Save Money
Be aware of the Costs.
A quality education does not come cheap. Independent schools can be expensive and if anything, independent sixth form colleges are more expensive than the sixth forms in senior schools. However, as with all things there is variation in price and the most expensive college could be twice as expensive as the cheapest. You tend to get what you pay for, but it is all a question of establishing your priorities and seeing what is available within your budget. (Please see the last paragraph on possibilities for saving more than 50% of education costs)
Fees will vary by
• Type of college
• Reputation and exclusivity
• Accommodation options
• Range of courses
• Teacher experience and exam track record
• Geographical area
The menu of costs
Nearly all colleges charge on a menu basis, by the number and type of courses taken over what period. They will not just be offering A levels, but also GCSEs, AS levels, English IELTS, Resits, Foundation Courses etc. Most colleges publish the tuition fees on their websites, but if not, just phone them and ask. Here are some sample fees, which are about the average mark for a reputable college in London.
1 AS Level £1340 per term
3 AS Levels £3820 per term
4 AS Levels £4410 per term
1 A2 Level £1610 per term
2 A2 Levels £3060 per term
3 A2 Levels £4160 per term
8 GCSEs £4120 per term
A level resits £2500 per subject
Practical fees (e.g. for science) £ 120 per subject per term
Registration fee £ 250
Accommodation £2750 college based self catering termly
Accommodation £1750 homestay termly
Be aware that most colleges offer scholarships and awards, sometimes as
a means of discounting their prices to fill courses.
Total costs
For a student taking 2 years to do 4 AS levels and 3 A levels, the base tuition fees could easily come to £14,000 per annum. If accommodation is required, then the total will exceed £20,000 per annum. For international students there will likely be another £3,000 to £5,000 p.a. in costs such as food, living expenses, visas, travel, leisure and insurance.
Most students will go on to university, where courses will range from 3 to 5 years. UK higher rate taxpayers will not be eligible for any awards or grants and can expect to incur about £11,000 per annum incorporating the new tuition fees of £3,000 per annum. Non EU students can expect to pay £6,000 to £12,000 per annum more than this, mostly because tuition fees will likely be £9,000+ depending on course. Much more information can be obtained from our other website http://www.universityadvice.co.uk
Save up to 100% on College and University Costs
If you are a UK higher rate taxpayer, there are sophisticated advanced financial planning techniques, whereby parents can sometimes save between 50% to 100% of the college and university costs. This is a bespoke service delivered by a network of specialist independent financial advisers around the UK. It is NOT available to non UK residents.
