Settlement Visa And Esol Fees In The Uk

[potter09]

I would be grateful if someone could enlighten me about the fee status for ESOL courses, for people who're on a settlement/spouse visa in the UK. I have been told(not by any Govt official) that until one stays in the UK for --One Year--the relevant College/University will not receive any contribution from the Government towards the ESOL(English for Speakers of Other Languages) fees. As a result, the fees would be the full rate, just as somone on a 'student visa' which is very expensive indeed.Is that the correct position as it stands now? If so, can someone point me towards some website/web address which would confirm the same? While I understand that the Govt has cut down funding for ESOL, I am a bit surprised that it also applies to people on settlement/spouce visas too(if that's correct) as it would defeat the Govt's own objective of integrating those who're not sufficiently fluent in English, especially a class of people who'll be residing/working in the UK permanently. Any views/information would be greatly appreciated.

Edited September 8, 2009 by potter09

[7by7]

I have been told(not by any Govt official) that until one stays in the UK for --One Year--the relevant College/University will not receive any contribution from the Government towards the ESOL(English for Speakers of Other Languages) fees. As a result, the fees would be the full rate, just as somone on a 'student visa'.....

I have heard this too, though not from any official source. Have you checked with some course providers?

Even if true, remember that the requirement is only to move up one level, which is easily obtainable in one academic year, or even one term, so there should be time to do this before the need to apply for ILR.

Of course, if one's English level is at entry level 3 or better then one should be able to understand the study materials for the LitUK test so should follow that route; it's a lot quicker and cheaper!

[potter09]

Even if true, remember that the requirement is only to move up one level, which is easily obtainable in one academic year, or even one term, so there should be time to do this before the need to apply for ILR.

Of course, if one's English level is at entry level 3 or better then one should be able to understand the study materials for the LitUK test so should follow that route; it's a lot quicker and cheaper!

Thanks,yes,correct. One course provider has verbally confirmed the same; I intend asking for some documentation, so I can reassure myself that the Govt is actually imposing restrictions on settlement visa class, too. So far,all internet searches have failed to provide any confirmative evidence. Regards.

[sumrit]

I have been told(not by any Govt official) that until one stays in the UK for --One Year--the relevant College/University will not receive any contribution from the Government towards the ESOL(English for Speakers of Other Languages) fees. As a result, the fees would be the full rate, just as somone on a 'student visa'.....

I have heard this too, though not from any official source. Have you checked with some course providers?

Even if true, remember that the requirement is only to move up one level, which is easily obtainable in one academic year, or even one term, so there should be time to do this before the need to apply for ILR.

Of course, if one's English level is at entry level 3 or better then one should be able to understand the study materials for the LitUK test so should follow that route; it's a lot quicker and cheaper!

Yes it is true, I went to our local college yesterday to ask about English lessons for my wife. Basically if she wants to study anything in the first year she's in the UK she is treated as a foreign student and has to pay accordingly. After one year she can study and pay the same fees as anybody else. They run ESOL courses for beginners right up to GCSE level and the ESOL course that she would need to take to qualify for her ILR (instead of taking the life in the UK test) is a 30 hour course, costs £90 and is normally completed over one college term.

[CharlieB]

I would be grateful if someone could enlighten me about the fee status for ESOL courses, for people who're on a settlement/spouse visa in the UK. I have been told(not by any Govt official) that until one stays in the UK for --One Year--the relevant College/University will not receive any contribution from the Government towards the ESOL(English for Speakers of Other Languages) fees. As a result, the fees would be the full rate, just as somone on a 'student visa' which is very expensive indeed.Is that the correct position as it stands now? If so, can someone point me towards some website/web address which would confirm the same? While I understand that the Govt has cut down funding for ESOL, I am a bit surprised that it also applies to people on settlement/spouce visas too(if that's correct) as it would defeat the Govt's own objective of integrating those who're not sufficiently fluent in English, especially a class of people who'll be residing/working in the UK permanently. Any views/information would be greatly appreciated.

Your wife has to have been resident in the UK for over 12 months for her to qualify for the 50% reduction in course fees. If she hasn't been in the UK over 12 months she is counted as a non-EU foreign student and has to pay the full fee. My wife is starting next week and the 40 hour course at our local college costs £120 for an EU resident. So the full price would be £240.

[sumrit]

I would be grateful if someone could enlighten me about the fee status for ESOL courses, for people who're on a settlement/spouse visa in the UK. I have been told(not by any Govt official) that until one stays in the UK for --One Year--the relevant College/University will not receive any contribution from the Government towards the ESOL(English for Speakers of Other Languages) fees. As a result, the fees would be the full rate, just as somone on a 'student visa' which is very expensive indeed.Is that the correct position as it stands now? If so, can someone point me towards some website/web address which would confirm the same? While I understand that the Govt has cut down funding for ESOL, I am a bit surprised that it also applies to people on settlement/spouce visas too(if that's correct) as it would defeat the Govt's own objective of integrating those who're not sufficiently fluent in English, especially a class of people who'll be residing/working in the UK permanently. Any views/information would be greatly appreciated.

Your wife has to have been resident in the UK for over 12 months for her to qualify for the 50% reduction in course fees. If she hasn't been in the UK over 12 months she is counted as a non-EU foreign student and has to pay the full fee. My wife is starting next week and the 40 hour course at our local college costs £120 for an EU resident. So the full price would be £240.

Interesting..............I wonder why your college says it's a 40 hour course and so charges £120 (£3 per hour) but our local college says the same course is only a 30 hour one and so charges £90. If you live anywhere near Shropshire you could change colleges and save yourself thirty quid

Our college does however charge £8-25 per hour for foreign (non EU) students and residents who have lived in the UK for less than 12 months, nearly triple the EU student rate.

[potter09]

Your wife has to have been resident in the UK for over 12 months for her to qualify for the 50% reduction in course fees. If she hasn't been in the UK over 12 months she is counted as a non-EU foreign student and has to pay the full fee. My wife is starting next week and the 40 hour course at our local college costs £120 for an EU resident. So the full price would be £240.

Thanks for all responses. I am particulary interested to know whether "50% reduction in course fees" is a Government stipulated figure to be applied nationally or a figure decided by the course provider you refer to. If you can,please be kind enough to expand a bit more on this issue;any weblink too, would be appreciated. Regards.

[CharlieB]

Your wife has to have been resident in the UK for over 12 months for her to qualify for the 50% reduction in course fees. If she hasn't been in the UK over 12 months she is counted as a non-EU foreign student and has to pay the full fee. My wife is starting next week and the 40 hour course at our local college costs £120 for an EU resident. So the full price would be £240.

Thanks for all responses. I am particulary interested to know whether "50% reduction in course fees" is a Government stipulated figure to be applied nationally or a figure decided by the course provider you refer to. If you can,please be kind enough to expand a bit more on this issue;any weblink too, would be appreciated. Regards.

The funding of ESOL and other courses is dealt with by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). They have a certain amount of funding and have to balance this out. ESOL courses used to be free to more people, but possibly due to increased demand, this has been taken away from certain groups. Basically they will fund a certain amounts of the course fee depending on your eligibility.

My wife's course will be £120 for her, but if she was from the UK and claiming benefits it would be £20. I can't be 100% certain that it's a flat 50% reduction across every course. I think it's actually a set amount per week, or per hour of teaching that happens to work out at 50% for my wife's course. Both courses I have looked into have basically been 50% reductions in the fee.

Look in the following linked document. The one year rule is under Learners Eligible for Funding, Section 17 d.

LSC Funding Guidance 08/09

A local college's fees page

Same college's ESOL page

Edited September 10, 2009 by CharlieB

[CharlieB]

I would be grateful if someone could enlighten me about the fee status for ESOL courses, for people who're on a settlement/spouse visa in the UK. I have been told(not by any Govt official) that until one stays in the UK for --One Year--the relevant College/University will not receive any contribution from the Government towards the ESOL(English for Speakers of Other Languages) fees. As a result, the fees would be the full rate, just as somone on a 'student visa' which is very expensive indeed.Is that the correct position as it stands now? If so, can someone point me towards some website/web address which would confirm the same? While I understand that the Govt has cut down funding for ESOL, I am a bit surprised that it also applies to people on settlement/spouce visas too(if that's correct) as it would defeat the Govt's own objective of integrating those who're not sufficiently fluent in English, especially a class of people who'll be residing/working in the UK permanently. Any views/information would be greatly appreciated.

Your wife has to have been resident in the UK for over 12 months for her to qualify for the 50% reduction in course fees. If she hasn't been in the UK over 12 months she is counted as a non-EU foreign student and has to pay the full fee. My wife is starting next week and the 40 hour course at our local college costs £120 for an EU resident. So the full price would be £240.

Interesting..............I wonder why your college says it's a 40 hour course and so charges £120 (£3 per hour) but our local college says the same course is only a 30 hour one and so charges £90. If you live anywhere near Shropshire you could change colleges and save yourself thirty quid

Our college does however charge £8-25 per hour for foreign (non EU) students and residents who have lived in the UK for less than 12 months, nearly triple the EU student rate.

The college my wife is going to has a 10 week term with 2 x 2 hour sessions each week. I'm guessing they are made to charge a standard rate per hour for ESOL courses. Personally, I'm not too bothered how much it costs within reason, as long as she gets the certificates she needs and learns to read and write English & possibly speak it a bit better.

Edited September 10, 2009 by CharlieB

[sumrit]

Your wife has to have been resident in the UK for over 12 months for her to qualify for the 50% reduction in course fees. If she hasn't been in the UK over 12 months she is counted as a non-EU foreign student and has to pay the full fee. My wife is starting next week and the 40 hour course at our local college costs £120 for an EU resident. So the full price would be £240.

Thanks for all responses. I am particulary interested to know whether "50% reduction in course fees" is a Government stipulated figure to be applied nationally or a figure decided by the course provider you refer to. If you can,please be kind enough to expand a bit more on this issue;any weblink too, would be appreciated. Regards.

I asked that question when we went to our local college and they said each college could set their own fees, within certain guidelines.

[potter09]

The funding of ESOL and other courses is dealt with by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). They have a certain amount of funding and have to balance this out. ESOL courses used to be free to more people, but possibly due to increased demand, this has been taken away from certain groups. Basically they will fund a certain amounts of the course fee depending on your eligibility.

My wife's course will be £120 for her, but if she was from the UK and claiming benefits it would be £20. I can't be 100% certain that it's a flat 50% reduction across every course. I think it's actually a set amount per week, or per hour of teaching that happens to work out at 50% for my wife's course. Both courses I have looked into have basically been 50% reductions in the fee.

Look in the following linked document. The one year rule is under Learners Eligible for Funding, Section 17 d.

LSC Funding Guidance 08/09

A local college's fees page

Same college's ESOL page

CharlieB--thank you very much for the very informative response including links.Regards.

[tonyboy1950]

I would be grateful if someone could enlighten me about the fee status for ESOL courses, for people who're on a settlement/spouse visa in the UK. I have been told(not by any Govt official) that until one stays in the UK for --One Year--the relevant College/University will not receive any contribution from the Government towards the ESOL(English for Speakers of Other Languages) fees. As a result, the fees would be the full rate, just as somone on a 'student visa' which is very expensive indeed.Is that the correct position as it stands now? If so, can someone point me towards some website/web address which would confirm the same? While I understand that the Govt has cut down funding for ESOL, I am a bit surprised that it also applies to people on settlement/spouce visas too(if that's correct) as it would defeat the Govt's own objective of integrating those who're not sufficiently fluent in English, especially a class of people who'll be residing/working in the UK permanently. Any views/information would be greatly appreciated.

Hi there potter09. My wife is just about to start a 5 day ESOl and citizenship course costing us £123, also being part funded by Eurpoean Integration Fund , in North West area, please contact me on, and I will give you the information .

Edited June 27, 2010 by 7by7
Phone number removed, please use PM facility.

[CharlieB]

I would be grateful if someone could enlighten me about the fee status for ESOL courses, for people who're on a settlement/spouse visa in the UK. I have been told(not by any Govt official) that until one stays in the UK for --One Year--the relevant College/University will not receive any contribution from the Government towards the ESOL(English for Speakers of Other Languages) fees. As a result, the fees would be the full rate, just as somone on a 'student visa' which is very expensive indeed.Is that the correct position as it stands now? If so, can someone point me towards some website/web address which would confirm the same? While I understand that the Govt has cut down funding for ESOL, I am a bit surprised that it also applies to people on settlement/spouce visas too(if that's correct) as it would defeat the Govt's own objective of integrating those who're not sufficiently fluent in English, especially a class of people who'll be residing/working in the UK permanently. Any views/information would be greatly appreciated.

Hi there potter09. My wife is just about to start a 5 day ESOl and citizenship course costing us £123, also being part funded by Eurpoean Integration Fund , in North West area, please contact me on, and I will give you the information .

It's never a good idea to give out your phone number on an internet forum.

Edited June 27, 2010 by 7by7
Indeed, phone number now removed.

[stament]

Hi,

Just wondered if there had been any update on costs now that new rules regarding test have been recently introduced.

Though better to revive an old topic than to start a new thread.

Thanks

[7by7]

I assume that you mean the new rules introduced in April 2010 (see here). These changes do not affect the LitUK test, only those taking the ESOL with citizenship course route.

I can't see any reason why these two, relatively small changes should affect the level of course fees; but one should check the fee with the college concerned.

[Thongkorn]

I paid £100 for one term level 1 Esol course, here is the Updated price list . these are from my Council prices, Yours may differ

Eligible learners will pay the following plus exam fees, that is if your lady has been in the UK for 1 year.

£80 00 term 1 [11 weeks] Exams are extra about £20

£80 00 term 2 [11 weeks]

£60 00 term 3 [8weeks]

or £210 00 for whole [30 weeks]

Ineligible learners that is No recourse to public funds as on a settlement visa.

£190 00 term 1 [11 weeks] Exams are extra about £20

£190 00 term 2 [11weeks]

£140 00 term 3 [8weeks]

Or £520 00 for [30 weeks]