First Essential
Payments and platform for education and e-learning, joined up
Payments for education on one UK based platform that brings enrolment, course fees and online learning together. And when your team needs a hand, you get real people on the phone, not a queue.
Less admin, more learning
Most of what eats your week is admin, not teaching. Colleges, training providers and course creators all tell us the same thing: enrolment forms scattered across inboxes, fees that arrive late, questions piling up after hours and a learning platform that sits off on its own. We pull it all into one place, with a UK team behind it.
What is an EPOS system and a card machine for education in the UK?
If you take payments in person, at a campus shop, a training centre reception, an open day or an exam fee desk, two terms come up again and again. Here is what they mean in plain English, and how they fit an education or e-learning provider.
EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale)
An EPOS system, sometimes just called a till system, is the software and hardware you use to take a payment and record what was sold. For a college or training provider that can mean course fees, resit charges, uniform or kit, refreshments or event tickets. A good Electronic Point of Sale system also keeps your records tidy, tracks stock and shows you what is selling, so finance and admin are not stuck reconciling by hand.
Card machine (card reader)
A card machine, also known as a card reader, is the device that takes a tap, chip or contactless payment from a learner or parent. Countertop readers suit a fixed reception desk, portable readers move around a campus, and mobile readers go to open days and off site events. Our card rates start from 0.3%. Rates vary by card type and business, confirmed at setup, and a card machine is free with EPOS.
Everything your learners need, joined up
Six solutions that stand on their own and work even better together, all backed by a real UK team. No single product rival covers this much under one roof.
First Essential One
Memberships, courses and a CRM in one platform, so enrolments, learners and follow ups all live together.
Learn moreApp and Web
Learning platforms and course sites built around your students, easy to use on any device and ready to grow.
Learn moreAI Solutions
Answers and enrolment help 24/7, so prospective learners get a reply the moment they ask, day or night.
Learn moreCard payments
Course fees and payment plans made simple, with online checkout, instalments and clear records.
Learn moreEPOS and till
An Electronic Point of Sale system for campus shops, reception fee desks and event stalls, with a free card machine.
Learn moreSelf service kiosks
Self check in and self service ordering for open days, refectories and busy reception areas, linked to your till.
Learn moreOnline courses and memberships in one place
Enrolments, course content and learners all sit in one view, so nothing slips through. Build memberships, sell courses and keep every student record tidy, without juggling tools that never quite talk to each other.
Answers and enrolment help, around the clock
Prospective learners rarely ask in office hours. An AI student assistant answers their questions and walks them through enrolment 24/7, so you do not lose someone just because the reply came too late. When a real person is needed, your UK team picks it up.
Payments for education made simple in the UK
Take course fees online, take card payments in person with a card machine, offer instalment plans and keep clear records, without the endless chasing. When signing up and paying is easy, more students finish enrolment and stay the course, and your payments and admin stay in step.
Built for every kind of education and training provider
Pick the setup closest to yours. Every mix is backed by the same UK team.
Colleges and schools
Course and exam fees, campus shop sales and open day card payments, with enrolment that flows straight into your records and an EPOS till for reception.
EPOS for campusTraining providers
Sell courses, collect fees in instalments and answer enquiries 24/7, with a CRM that keeps every learner and cohort in one view.
See the platformCourse creators and e-learning
A learning site or app, online memberships, automated payment plans and an AI assistant that helps prospects enrol while you sleep.
Build your platformHonest pricing for education, no buried small print
A lot of providers in this space hide the real numbers until you are on a long contract. Here is how we compare with that approach, in plain terms.
| What you care about | First Essential | What some providers do |
|---|---|---|
| Card payment rates | From 0.3%. Rates vary by card type and business, confirmed at setup, in writing. | Headline rate that climbs once the small print kicks in |
| Card machine | Free with EPOS. No separate device fee. | Monthly device rental, often locked into the deal |
| Platform trial | 14 day free trial of First Essential One before you commit | Pay first, find out later if it fits |
| AI assistant | Free demo so you see it work on your enrolment questions first | Add on price with no test drive |
| Support | Real UK based people, 7 days a week | Ticket queue, overseas call centre or help article only |
| Lock in | We explain any terms up front, in plain English | Long 24 to 36 month contracts buried in the paperwork |
| What is included | EPOS, card payments, kiosks, AI, web and platform from one partner | One product only, then upsells for the rest |
We describe how some providers in the market typically operate. We do not name them or quote their figures, because those change. Your own quote is always confirmed in writing at setup. Ask for your education quote
The detail that matters at enrolment time
Built for peak periods
Enrolment season and open days bring a rush. Online forms, self service kiosks and an AI assistant share the load, so reception is not buried and no enquiry waits.
Instalments without chasing
Set a payment plan once and fees collect automatically. Learners spread the cost, you stop sending reminder emails, and finance sees clear records.
Data handled properly
Student data sits in one organised place rather than scattered inboxes and spreadsheets, which makes day to day GDPR housekeeping far easier to manage.
One connected stack
Your website, enrolment forms, card machine, EPOS till and CRM work together, so a sign up at midnight and a card tap at reception land in the same record.
Reachable when it counts
If something needs sorting during an open day or fee deadline, a real UK person answers, 7 days a week. No ticket queue between you and a fix.
Grows with your courses
Start with payments and a website, add memberships, kiosks or an AI assistant when you are ready. One partner, no rebuild each time you expand.
Education and e-learning, common questions
What is the best EPOS system and card machine for education in the UK?
How much does a card machine and EPOS till cost for a training provider?
Is there a long contract or lock in?
How can I take online course payments and offer instalment plans?
How fast is settlement, and which cards and wallets can I accept?
Can I move over from my current system, and is student data handled properly?
Can AI answer student questions and help with enrolment 24/7?
Looking for another sector or solution? See all the industries we serve, explore integrations, or read about First Essential.
Ready to teach more and manage less?
Book a free, no obligation demo and we will walk you through how EPOS, card payments and the platform fit your courses. Real UK people, 7 days a week.
Book a demo Talk to a UK expert