Monthly Direct Debit payments

On some courses we offer the option of paying by an interest free monthly Direct Debit. This way you won’t have to pay for the full course upfront, you will spread the costs over a longer period.

Courses with 0% monthly payments

The interest free monthly payments option is available on the following courses:

• Advanced Diploma in Personal Training
• Certificate in Personal Training
• Gym Instructor
• Exercise to Music
• Diploma in Teaching Yoga
• STOTT PILATES Intensive Mat Plus
• STOTT PILATES Intensive Reformer
• STOTT PILATES Injuries and Special Populations

One of our Course Advisers will tell you more about this payment option when you book your course. You’ll get confirmation of the monthly payment amount and dates that your Direct Debit will be due each month.

The Advanced Learner Loan

As part of a Government-backed initiative, the Advanced Learner Loan provides a flexible way for students over the age of 19 to pay their course fees. You pay back your loan (plus interest) when you finish your course and earn more than £21,000 a year. There are no credit checks and applications are not dependent on your income.

Level 3 courses with funding

The Advanced Learner Loan is available on the following level 3 courses and will cover the cost of your full course. To find out how much your deposit and maximum loan will be, see the ‘How to book’ section of your chosen course.

• Advanced Diploma in Personal Training
• Diploma in Personal Training
• Diploma in Teaching Yoga
• Diploma in Exercise Referral
• Certificate in Personal Training
• Diploma in Sports Massage

Level 4 courses with funding

We also offer funded level 4 courses to support your professional development – available as packages. The loan will cover the collective cost of the courses. These courses are listed below with the required level 3 qualification for eligibilty:

Funding for 1 course

Level 4 Obesity and Diabetes or Level 4 Lower Back Pain

• Entry requirement: Diploma in Exercise Referral
• Deposit: £125
• Maximum loan: £549.

Funding for 2 courses

Diploma in Exercise Referral with a Level 4 Obesity and Diabetes or Level 4 Lower Back Pain

• Entry requirement: Diploma in Personal Training
• Deposit: £250
• Maximum loan: £1,098.

Funding for 3 courses

Diploma in Exercise Referral and Exercise Nutrition with Level 4 Obesity and Diabetes or Level 4 Lower Back Pain

• Entry requirement: Diploma in Teaching Yoga or Level 3 Pilates
• Deposit: £250
• Maximum loan: £1,248.

Funding for 4 courses

Diploma in Exercise Referral and Exercise Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology with Level 4 Obesity and Diabetes or Level 4 Lower Back Pain

• Entry requirement: Gym or Exercise to Music Instructor
• Deposit: £250
• Maximum loan: £1,348.

Who can get this loan

In order to qualify for the loan you must be either:

• 24+ years of age on the first day of your course or
• 19 to 23 years of age and have already completed a level 3 qualification

You will also need:

• A National Insurance number
• To have been living in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for 3 years before starting your course
• Be a UK national or have ‘settled status’ (this means there’s no restrictions on how long you can stay)

You may also qualify if you’re:

• An EU national or a family member of one
• A refugee
• A migrant worker
• The child of a Swiss national
• The child of a Turkish worker

How to apply

1. Book onto a course.
2. Let the adviser know that you’re interested in applying for the Advanced Learner Loan.
3. You will then be asked to pay a deposit of £125-£375 depending on the course – this is refunded upon receipt of full funding.
4. The adviser will arrange for a ‘Learning and funding information’ letter to be sent to you – you’ll need this for your application as it contains the details of your course.
5. After this, you can register and apply on the gov.uk website. If you can’t apply online you can download the application form and send it to the address on the back.
6. If you need to send evidence to support your application, you can fill in the evidence return form.
7. You will receive a letter confirming your loan – usually within 2 weeks if you apply online (postal applications may take up to a maximum of 20 working days).

You’ll find more information about the Advanced Learner Loan on the gov.uk website, but here are some guidance notes to help with the application.

How to pay back your loan

You pay back your loan (plus interest) when you finish your course and earn more than £21,000 a year.

Key information about paying back the loan

• Your repayments won’t start until a year after you finish your course, in April.
• Your repayments will stop if your income drops below £21,000 a year.
• Your monthly repayment will be 9% of any income you earn over £21,000.
• If you’re an employee, your employer will work out your repayments and take them out of your salary with your tax.
• If you’re self-employed your repayments will be paid as part of your Self Assessment tax return. You can also pay some or your entire loan at any time without any extra charges.

Leaving or changing your course

If you leave or change your course 2 weeks after booking, you’ll have to pay back any loan that has been used (plus interest). The interest rate will be the rate of inflation.

For more information about repayments visit the gov.uk website.