Education and training merchant category codes
Tuition, courses and other education services use merchant category code 8299, trade and vocational training uses 8249, online and distance learning uses 8241 and colleges and universities use 8220. Courses are paid for up front and delivered over weeks or months, which is why the payment setup matters.
Merchant category codes for education and training
The codes businesses in this sector come across most. Your provider sets the code when your account is opened, based on what you tell them about how you trade.
| Code | Industry | More |
|---|---|---|
| 8299 | Tuition, courses and other education | Education payment gateway |
| 8249 | Trade and vocational training | Education payment gateway |
| 8241 | Distance learning and correspondence courses | Education payment gateway |
| 8244 | Business and secretarial schools | Education payment gateway |
| 8220 | Colleges and universities | Education payment gateway |
| 8211 | Primary and secondary schools | Education payment gateway |
| 8351 | Nurseries and childcare | Education payment gateway |
| 7911 | Dance schools and studios | Education payment gateway |
Upfront fees and instalments
Many learners prefer to pay in instalments. Tokenised recurring billing makes instalment plans easy to run, and a clear schedule agreed at enrolment avoids disputes later.
Enrolment peaks
September and January bring a rush of payments. The account should be set up for the biggest intake month you expect, so peak trading is processed normally.
Terms that protect both sides
Refund and cancellation terms that say what the learner receives and when are the best protection against disputes on courses delivered over time.
Card payments for education and training, opinions from our specialists
Short views from our specialists, published to start a conversation. Agree or disagree, tell them on LinkedIn.
Education is one of the cleanest sectors I see, and one of the most misunderstood. A training provider with real learners and real outcomes should never be treated like a deferred delivery risk.
Outcomes matter, but so does clarity on refunds. Learners who know exactly what they can get back, and when, rarely end up disputing a course fee.
What to check in a card payments setup for education and training
Three questions worth asking any provider, and the eCom Pay answer.
Instalment plans
Recurring billing for course fees.
Peaks expected
Enrolment surges processed as normal trading.
Online and in person
Course fees online, at the front desk and by link.
Questions about merchant category codes for education and training
What MCC does a training provider use?
Trade and vocational training uses 8249, other tuition and courses use 8299, and online or distance learning uses 8241.
Can course fees be taken in instalments?
Yes, with recurring billing set up at enrolment and a schedule the learner agrees to.
What MCC do nurseries use?
Nurseries and childcare use 8351.
More industry guides
Card payments for education and training, set up properly
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