How does the iO-Sphere fees work?

By investing approximately £4,500 in advance in each of our trainees,, we enable bright, ambitious people from any background to access high quality training and careers in data - which is iO-Sphere's missions. It also means our incentives are aligned with yours - we are all 100% focused on making sure you land that next role in data.

The majority of our trainees will end up repaying the cost of the training when they get jobs outside of our network of employers, and you should be comfortable having to do so. Repayment will only begin once you have secured your new position and your income is coming in. As part of the offer process, you will need to choose how you would like to repay the programme fees in the future. 

We understand that most people will not be able to repay the course fees in a lump sum on securing a role. In order to allow you to spread your repayments over 12-24 instalments, iO-Sphere has partnered with StepEx, a leading student financing provider.

In both instalment plans, you will only begin your repayment plan in the following scenarios:
1. You accept a job offer with an employer outside of the iO-Sphere network. Repayments only begin when your income meets or exceeds the minimum income threshold stated in your StepEx contract
2. You do not adhere to the terms and conditions of your contract with iO-Sphere.
In these cases and to ensure affordability of the repayments, instalments will only be due when you earn at least £25,000 in gross income annually. 

As part of accepting your offer for a place on the iO-Sphere Experience Accelerator, you will need to sign your student contract, at which point you will need to select your preferred future repayment option. If you would like to repay in a lump sum* or instalments using a StepEx plan, you will be invited to complete their application process. Your place on the programme will not be fully confirmed until you have been approved by StepEx for an instalment product. StepEx is an independent 3rd party provider and regulated by the FCA. iO-Sphere is not able to influence their approval process.
It is possible to apply in the future to switch from a lump sum to an instalment package, but that is dependent on being approved by StepEx. If you are not approved, the full fees will be due in one payment.

If you choose to pay upfront in a lump sum before the programme starts, you will receive a 20% discount on your total programme fees.

Important: iO-Sphere is not a financial services provider and we are not able to help make recommendations on the best repayment plan for you. The above financial offers and the credit provision itself are provided by StepEx Lender Ltd, a consumer credit lender authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under FRN 824928
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at info@io-sphere.io if you have any questions.