Who may have a funded English or maths resit?
These are England’s 2026/27 rules. They do not establish entitlements in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Students on funded 16–19 programmes
The English and maths condition covers 16–18-year-olds without grade 4 or an accepted equivalent on study programmes or T Levels of at least 150 hours, plus specified students with EHC plans and continuing students aged 19+. Full-time students with grade 3 must study GCSE; those with grade 2 or below may follow GCSE or an approved route towards Functional Skills Level 2. Your college should identify the appropriate course. Read the funding condition.
What a funded institution can charge
For eligible students who are under 19 on 31 August when their programme starts, compulsory tuition, enrolment, registration and exam fees are generally prohibited. Free tuition continues in consecutive years on the same programme. English or maths study towards grade 4, where that grade has not yet been achieved, is specifically excluded from the rule allowing some resit charges. Charges can still arise in stated circumstances, such as unmet reasonable attendance or work conditions, or missing an exam without good reason; illness and other acceptable reasons are not grounds for charging. Ask the college to explain any bill against the funding rules.
Adults aged 19 and over
The national Adult Skills Fund rules fully fund eligible English and maths learners who lack grade 4 or comparable/higher attainment, including some previously qualified learners assessed as having current skills below that level. Residency, age and course eligibility apply. These national rules cover non-devolved areas; a local provider must confirm the rules where adult funding is devolved. Fully funded learners cannot be charged compulsory direct costs essential to completing and achieving the learning aim, but an exam-only resit without additional learning is excluded. Check the adult funding rules.