They can't get free fees for another year of study at the same level. This is whether they repeat the year, or change to a different course. However, if they formally withdraw from their course before the half way point, then they'll only have to pay fees for half of their first year in new course. I believe that date is 31st January, so they'd need to act quickly.
There are some exceptions, such as certified illnesses.
Hopefully someone will have a better link than the following, which doesn't seem to be as clear as it should:
I'd suggest contacting the students union, or the admissions office of the college, as they'd have the relevant information.