Funding your course may be easier than you think. Please check the page of the course you are interested in as fees for some courses/cadet training routes are agreed with the sponsoring company. To see if you qualify for free funding, see the table below:
Age? | Wanting to Study… | What will you pay |
|---|---|---|
16-18; 19+ | Level 3 course | All courses are funded. |
19+ | Advanced Certificate | Course fees apply. Company sponsorship or a tuition fee loan may be available. |
Please note: Commercial part-time and short courses that are associated with a course do not qualify for fee waivers or financial support.
Maintenance Loans for students on Advanced Certificate/Diploma route Cadetships
If you have not previously achieved a relevant Level 3 qualification prior to starting your Advanced Certificate/Diploma programme, you will study FE Level 3 at Phase 1 in your first year. This part of your programme is not eligible for a maintenance loan. However, once you have reached Phase 3 in the second year, and enrol to the Advanced Certificate part of your programme, you may be eligible for a maintenance loan should you wish to apply. Please refer to the Student Finance website for more information https://www.gov.uk/student-finance-register-login
Financial support
Additional financial support is available to help you with practical costs such as travel and childcare. Full details of this support is available on the main Blackpool and The Fylde College website.
Scholarship
There are two Merchant Navy scholarships available to serving seafarers, managed by the Marine Society.
The Slater Fund, managed by the Marine Society with Nautilus International, offers Slater Scholarships of up to £18,500, with an additional discretionary £1,500 for completing the programme.
Any Merchant Navy rating, Electro Technical Officer (ETO), Workboat, Tug or Yacht crew that wish to study for the STCW Officer of the Watch, deck or engine qualifications. Consideration is also given to those who already hold the Class 2 or Class 1 Fishing ticket and are looking to convert to the OOW Unlimited.
Please note the fund does not support those aiming for Chief Mate unlimited, Master of Yachts <3000gt or any Master certificate if you already hold the OOW unlimited.
You can find out more at https://www.marine-society.org/slater-scholarship
The Worcester Scholarship is aimed at officers who wish to take academic qualifications such as a bachelors or masters degree in Nautical Science, Marine Engineering or Electro-Technical. In certain circumstances, it can be used for advanced professional qualifications where there is no support available anywhere else or for those who are overqualified for a JW Slater Scholarship.
You can receive up to £1000. The amount awarded depends on what you are studying and the cost. You may also be eligible for an Interest-free loan – please refer to the interest-free loans page.
You can find out more at https://www.marine-society.org/worcester-scholarship
International students
Fees and payment information is available for international students can be found here https://www.blackpool.ac.uk/fees-and-funding-international-students
Contact us
Our student advisers are here to help with all aspects of funding. Contact us on 01253 504496 or careers@blackpool.ac.uk.
