Part-Time Study
What Courses/Subjects Are Available?
There are a range of courses specifically arranged for part-time study, both during the day and as evening classes. You will find details of these in the prospectus, Short Course brochure and here on the website. A wide range of part time courses are also offered at our Greater Pollok Community Learning Centre in Priesthill and many community venues.
It may also be possible to take individual units from within other programmes to make up an individualised programme of study. If you want to discuss this contact a Student Adviser in the Information & Advice Centre.
You can take some subjects through Flexible Learning where you study at your own pace and only attend when you wish to see a tutor for support or assessment. IT, Communications (English), Care and Maths are available at the moment. You can also study IT packages and other subjects in our Computer Resource Centre (CORE). Contact the Information & Advice Centre for further information.
A range of commercial courses are offered through our Business Centre.
Will I Have To Pay My Fees?
Students enrolling on most part-time certificated programmes and many of our leisure classes will not have to pay any tuition or exam fees if they meet the conditions of fee waivers. These include students (or students spouse/family) who receive: Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Pension Credit, income-based JSA or Housing Benefit and students who receive Severe Disablement Allowance, Attendance, Disability Living or Carers Allowance, Incapacity benefit or are a registered Job Seeker, an asylum seeker or are on a low income. Further information on eligibility for fee waivers is available from the Information & Advice Centre on 0141 272 3332 or enquiries @cardonald.ac.uk.
For those paying fees Individual Learning Accounts (ILA) of £200 if you earn less than £22,000 may be available to help with fees for some courses. Contact ILAScotland on 0808 100 1090 or at ILA
Please note not all courses are approved for ILA's and you must have your ILA before the course starts.
Students studying on advanced courses (HNC/HND) who are taking at least 40 SCQF credit points for an ILA of £500, if you earn less than £22,000, which can be paid directly to the College to cover your fees.
The college offers all students who are paying for courses of one year or more the opportunity to pay in three instalments. Contact the Finance Office on 0141 272 3114 for further information on fees and payments.
Will I Be Able To Get Any Financial Help While Studying?
Travel and course expenses are paid through a college bursary for eligible students on non-advanced courses who have had their fees waived. To apply you must complete an application form and return it to the Information & Advice Centre.
Students on part-time courses may apply for help towards the cost of childcare in the college pre/after school care or care outwith the college. Funds are limited and means tested. Application forms are available from the Information centre and must be returned with evidence of childcare costs.
Part-time students who have had tuition fees waived who are on non-advanced courses may also be able to claim course expenses eg for books or other materials through a part-time bursary.
Part-time students who experience hardship may apply to the College Hardship Fund for support. Funds are limited and each case is decided individually by interview.
Career Development Loans are bank loans of £300 - £8,000 towards the costs of training or education. You must be over 18, not being funded in any other way and able to demonstrate that you will be able to repay the loan to the bank. Leaflets are available from the Information & Advice Centre.
Will My Benefits Be Affected By Studying Part-Time?
If you are signing on as unemployed as a condition of receiving benefits:
You may be allowed to study part-time while remaining on benefits if:
- you continue to be available for and actively seeking a job
- you are willing to give up your course or re-arrange the hours to take up a job
- the course you are studying is part-time and you are studying for less than 16 hours per week of guided study.
- if you are under 20 years old you may only study up to 12 hours per week on a non-advanced course (any NQ or Higher courses) unless you have been receiving benefit or were on a youth training course for 3 months before you began studying part-time
If you are in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance and wish to study part-time you should contact your local Job Centre. You may be asked to complete a student questionnaire and bring along a Learning Agreement from the college and have it authorised by the Job Centre. Students should seek advice before completing the student questionnaire by contacting the Information & Advice Centre.
If you are a lone parent claiming income support:
As you are not required to be available for work in order to qualify for benefits you are able to study part-time without affecting your entitlement.
If you wish to study full-time on a non-advanced course you can apply for a bursary to cover the expenses of coming to college (books and travel) while continuing with your income support and/or housing benefit. If you wish to study on a full-time advanced course you must apply for grant and loan funding which will affect your level of income support and/or housing benefit as these funds will count as income.
If you are receiving income support due to ill health or incapacity benefit:
If you are considering studying at college part-time or full-time you should first discuss your plans with both your doctor and with the Benefits Agency. You should seek the written support of your doctor in explaining why studying would be therapeutic after discussing your proposed programme of study. The Benefits Agency will advise you if your study plans are likely to affect your benefits. Contact a Student Adviser if you want further information or support.
What should I do if I have any questions or worries?
Contact one of the Student Advisers in the Information & Advice Centre if you have any questions or worries about studying part-time while on benefit. It is important that you understand the procedures and that you are not disadvantaged by studying part-time while receiving benefits.
How Do I Apply For A Part-Time Course?
Fill in an application form and you will be contacted for interview or offered a place on certificated courses. You can enrol for leisure classes in person, by post or by phone. For evening classes there are enrolment evenings in August.
What Should I Do If I Am Unsure Which Course To Take?
If you are unsure about your choice of course - either the subject or the level - arrange an interview with a Student Adviser in the Information & Advice Centre. They will discuss your career plans, choice of course and learning support needs with you to help find a suitable programme
Will I Cope With College Study?
The Adult Basic Education Section offers courses which will help you improve your level of skills in English and Maths or prepare for study if you have been away from education for a long time. Contact 0141 272 3395 about Introduction to FE and Return to Study courses.
We also offer introductory courses in January for those with few or no qualifications in a range of subjects.
If you have additional needs because of a physical or learning disability you can arrange to discuss your support needs before you apply or start a course. All students can get additional support during their studies through Student Support.
Contact Student Support on 0141 272 3214 to discuss your learning needs.