Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party). It was answered on Tuesday, 7 February 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee.

University Places

Question: Will the Minister confirm that the number of funded places is considerably less than both universities have requested? Will she also confirm that as a result of the capping of funding for undergraduate places, which I believe happens only to universities in Northern Ireland, many young people are forced to leave Northern Ireland either because the grades required to get on to courses are inflated because of the shortage of places, or because there are no places available? That is leading to some of the best students in Northern Ireland leaving the Province and never coming back. As a result, we have a shortage of skills at certain levels. What does the Minister intend to do about the number of funded undergraduate places when requests for increases are made?

Answer: The hon. Gentleman raises a point on which I have recently issued a consultation paper. I would be grateful for his comments on that. I am not yet convinced by the argument that we should increase the number of undergraduate places in Northern Ireland. Of those in Northern Ireland who go on to higher education, 30 per cent. have their first choice of university in Great Britain. The hon. Gentleman is, of course, right about the shortage of skills. We and the Department for Employment and Learning need to examine what skills there is a shortage of, and there is not necessarily a shortage of graduates. There is a consultation, and I take a wider view of what the optimum number of full-time undergraduates educated in Northern Ireland would be. I would be grateful for his comments as part of that consultation.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: NIGC c8
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons Grand Committees
Subjects: Finance Northern Ireland Universities Skilled workers Student numbers Ulster University Queen's University Belfast
Contains statistics: Yes