Frequently Asked Questions

Full-Time

Further Education (FE) Courses

Students aged under 19 years on 1st July all full-time FE courses are FREE (however, the student will need to pay for any examination resits). For Students aged 19 or over on 1st July, there are no tuition fees for vocational (applied) FE courses at Level 3 or below.

Students aged 19 or over on 1st July and studying on a non-applied AS/A2 level course fees will be charged.

Higher Education (HE) Courses

Fees are applicable for all HE courses. The rate of fees that the student will pay depends upon where the student lives. Northern Ireland domiciled* students can apply for assistance with Tuition fee costs and other costs from Student Finance NI.

Students from England, Scotland and Wales will pay a higher rate of tuition fees and should contact the agencies below for further information on the support available:

• Student Finance England (in England) www.gov.uk/student-finance
• Student Awards Agency for Scotland (in Scotland) www.saas.gov.uk
• Student Finance Wales (in Wales) www.studentfinancewales.co.uk

International Students

For International Student fee rates please contact our International Students Department. Email: international@serc.ac.uk

Part-Time

Fee payment is required for part-time courses. Our online course finder details the fee payments required for each course. The College does offer some free courses e.g. Essential Skills. 

* Where Northern Ireland is the student's permanent home

Full-Time

Fees charged are only for the current academic year. Students are required to enrol and pay fees each year when undertaking a two or three-year course.

Students must complete a direct debit mandate at enrolment.

Students who withdraw from their course are still liable for payment of their fees. 

HE students should refer to the Fees Policy Appendix C

Payment of fees can be made by cash, cheque, credit/debit card.

Part-Time

Fees are payable at the time of enrolment. Fees charged are only for the current academic year.

Students are required to enrol and pay fees each year when undertaking a two, or a three, year course.

Payment can be made by cash, cheque, credit or debit card.

Full-Time

Higher Education Funding

Student Finance NI, through the Educational Authority, administer financial support to Higher Education students in Northern Ireland in conjunction with the Student Loans Company (SLC). Please refer to Student Financial Support Section on our website for details on how to apply. The Student Loans Company will make tuition fee award payments directly to the College, on the student’s behalf, after confirmation of enrolment and attendance is received.

At time of enrolment:

Students who have received their award letter from Student Finance NI must present this to Customer Services. The amount of the award will be deducted from the total fee and the student will be invoiced for any remaining fee. Students who have not received their award letter from Student Finance NI must complete the direct debit mandate. Confirmation of funding from Student Finance NI must be submitted to Customer Services in the College as soon as it is received. The amount of the award will be deducted from the total fee and the student will be invoiced for any remaining fee. In all circumstances, the student is responsible for the payment of the total fee whether they complete the course or not. In the event of Student Loans Company not releasing the full amount of the award, the student will be required to pay the remaining balance of the total fee.

Part Time

Further Education

A student who is already approved for funding from Student Finance NI, in the form of a FE Award, must submit their award letter at the point of enrolment. The amount of the award will be deducted from the total fee and if a balance remains this must be paid in full at enrolment, unless the criteria for payment by instalment is satisfied.

A student who does not have funding in place at enrolment will be required to pay the full course fee at the point of enrolment, unless criteria for payment by instalment is satisfied.

Once funding has been approved by Student Finance NI the student must present their award letter to Customer Services.

If the award covers the total fee, the College will refund the amount already paid. The College will cancel any direct debit agreement and issue the refund prior to 1 December 2025.

If the award does not cover the total fee, the student remains liable for any balance remaining. If paying by instalments, the College will proceed with the direct debit for the remaining fees on the notified dates.

In all instances, the College will refund to the student any overpayments that have been made to their account and owed to the student.

In the event of Student Finance NI not releasing the full amount of their award (for example by reason of student withdrawal), the student will be required to pay the remaining balance of the total fee.

Higher Education

Part-Time Higher Education students can apply for assistance in the form of a means tested tuition fee grant and a course grant, dependent upon household income and course intensity.  Tuition fee grants are paid directly to the College.  A non means tested tuition fee loan has also been introduced.   A student informing Customer Services of their intention to apply for a part time fee grant or loan can avail of the following enhanced arrangement at enrolment:

• Deposit of 25% of the course fee
• Submit completed direct debit mandate at enrolment
• Complete PTL form via the SFNI website

If approved for funding the award letter must be submitted to Customer Services as soon as it is received. If the Award letter is not submitted to Customer Services prior to the first direct debit instalment date the College will proceed with the direct debit.

If the application for funding is unsuccessful or does not meet the full course fee then the student will be liable for the outstanding fees.

In all instances, the College will refund to the student any overpayments that have been made to their account and is due to them.

Yes, where a student is sponsored by an organisation, a completed Sponsor liability form should be presented to Customer Services at the point of enrolment. The Sponsor liability form is available from Customer Services or the website by Clicking Here.

Organisations and employers who sponsor students are liable for the full cost of the course fee. There shall be no concessions. The College will directly invoice the sponsor.

If the student leaves the sponsor’s employment after the start date of the course the fee liability remains with the sponsor.

If the student leaves the sponsor’s employment before the course starts the sponsor should notify the College, in writing, before the course starts to withdraw their support. In this case, the course fee liability will transfer to the student. If the College is not notified, in writing, in advance of the start date the fee liability remains with the sponsor.

Some courses may have additional costs. Please view the course descriptor on website course finder for further details.

Students who have enrolled on a two or three-year course will need to enrol and pay the appropriate fee each year of the course.

As a general rule, the College does not offer refunds, although there is some discretion in exceptional circumstances as outlined in the Fees Refund and Waiver SOP.

Discretionary refunds will only be considered in exceptional circumstances Students should complete the Fee Waiver/Refund Request form and submit necessary supporting evidence.

Students experiencing difficulties in paying their tuition fees should seek help at the earliest possible opportunity.

The Student should immediately contact staff in the College’s Finance Department, email: accountsreceivable@serc.ac.uk

The Student Finance Advisors will also be able to provide more information about financial support or help available to assist Students with the costs associated with attending College. studentfinance@serc.ac.uk

The payment of fees is the responsibility of each student. Students are liable to pay the full fee whether they choose to complete the course or not.

The payment of fees is the responsibility of each student.

Students are liable to pay the full fee whether they choose to complete the course or not.

If a student does not pay their fees the College will impose a number of sanctions, including loss of access to College systems.

Outstanding student fees will be referred to a Debt Recovery Agency.

As an apprentice you will be a new or existing employee, in a Northern Ireland-based company, working with experienced staff to learn and develop your skills.

An apprentice also receives ‘off-the-job’ training, usually on a day-release basis with a training provider, to work towards achieving vocational qualifications and Essential Skills qualifications (reading, writing, maths and computers).

Your training provider will meet with you and your employer to discuss your training needs and will then develop a training programme for you. They will be with you every step of the way throughout your apprenticeship to support you and make sure you are making progress. Usually you are with the employer four days a week and with the training provider one day a week. Your employer will pay you for your time spent with the training provider. 

To take part in the apprenticeships programme you need to: 

• have reached the minimum school leaving age in Northern Ireland (16 years) 
• be employed or be about to take up paid employment in Northern Ireland 
• be working a minimum of 21 hours per week on a permanent contract 
• meet all the entry requirements of your chosen apprenticeship (for example some apprenticeships will require you to have GCSEs) 

You may need to meet other eligibility considerations, for example you may not be eligible if you're a non-EU national, a public sector worker or already have a recognised vocational qualification.

• Contact employers directly by email, telephone or call in with your CV
• Look for vacancies online (employer websites or job search website such as Job Centre Online
• Have you previously done a school work placement? Contact them if aligned with your chosen industry
• Contact SERC’s career service for free advice, CV support and interview skills at careers@serc.ac.uk

1. Earn while you learn 
   You will receive at least the Apprenticeship Rate (Levels 2/3) or Minimum Wage (HLA) for the duration of your studies including College Day!
2. Experienced Mentor
   Work with and learn from professionals with years of experience in your chosen industry
3. Just 1 day per week in College
   2/3 Apprenticeship with just 1 day or evening per week in College (2 days per week where essential skills are required)
4. Training Support Officer
   You will have a dedicated Training Support Officer to turn to for support and guidance throughout your course. They will also complete regular reviews with your employer to monitor progress.
5. Fantastic career opportunities
   You have a job from day one which opens many opportunities for progression/promotion within your company

1. Earn while you learn
   You will receive at least Minimum Wage (HLA) for the duration of your studies including College Day!
2. Experienced Mentor 
   Work with and learn from professionals with years of experience in your chosen industry
3. Just 1 day per week in College
   Complete your HLA (Foundation Degree or Diploma) with just 1 day or evening per week in College over 2 years (3 years for Mechatronics and Culinary Arts)
4. No fees = No Student Loans
   Your course will be fully funded by the Department for the Economy which means no student debt!
5. Fantastic career opportunities
   You have a job from day one which opens many opportunities for progression/promotion within your company

t and interview skills at careers@serc.ac.uk

Opportunities are available for you to gain qualifications from Level 4 upwards if you are a new employee or an existing employee in a new job role. Entry requirements will depend on the apprenticeship pathway.

To take part in the Higher Level Apprenticeship programme you need, as a minimum, to:

• be employed or be about to take up permanent paid employment as an apprentice, or be an existing employee moving to a new job role, with a Northern Ireland based company
• work a minimum of 21 hours per week (which includes time for ‘off-the-job’ training)
• have achieved all necessary entry qualifications determined by the relevant sector
• pass any entry tests specified by the relevant sector
• be the minimum school leaving age in Northern Ireland (18)

You may need to meet other eligibility considerations, for example you may not be eligible if you're a non-EU national, a public sector worker or already have a recognised vocational qualification.

• Contact employers directly by email, telephone or call in with your CV
• Contact your local College – email us for support at any time in they year!
• Look for vacancies online (employer websites or job search website such as Job Centre Online
• Have you previously done a school work placement? Contact them if aligned with your chosen industry
• Contact SERC’s career service for free advice, CV support and interview skills at careers@serc.ac.uk

An HLA is a Level 4/5 Qualification for new employees or for existing employees who are upskilling/entering a new job role.

• Main qualification is a Foundation Degree or Level 4/5 Diploma, achieved over 2 years (3 years for Mechatronics and Computing)
• It is an employment contract, working 4 days per week with your employer and studying in College 1 day per week. You are also paid for your day in College!
• Entry requirements vary but generally include GCSE Maths & English at grace C or above and A Levels or a Level 3 Certificate/Diploma