Written question asked by Lord Patel of Blackburn (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Henley (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 December 2010.

Higher Education: Tuition Fees

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to end the difference between the levels of tuition fees paid by English students and those paid by Welsh, Scottish or European Union students.

Answer: Responsibility for higher education, including financial support for students, is devolved. It is for the Welsh Assembly Government to decide how they wish to fund Welsh-domiciled students; and similarly for the Scottish Government and Scottish-domiciled students. It is a long-standing principle of EU law that member states cannot discriminate on grounds of nationality against people from other member states in the conditions of access to vocational training, which includes higher education. The Education (Fees and Awards) (England) Regulations 2007 provide that eligibility for home fee status, with the same tuition charges as UK nationals, for EC nationals and their family members is based on a combination of residency conditions and nationality. Where these are met, EC nationals and their family members qualify for home fee status, and will therefore be treated the same for tuition as UK nationals who also satisfy the residency conditions.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4875; 723 c214-5WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Fees and charges Higher education EU nationals Universities Students
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk