Written question asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated), 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 assessment they have made of the impact of the rise in tuition fees on part-time students.

Answer: The Government published an interim impact assessment of the reforms to higher education funding and student finance on 29 November 2010, which included some analysis of the potential impact on part-time students. This is available at: http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/higher-education/docs/i//10-1309-interim-impact-assesstnent-he-funding-and-student-finance.pdf. The Government propose that, from 2012-13 onwards, new part-time students will be eligible for up-front loans for their tuition costs, as is already the case for full-time students. Part-time students will be able to take out non-means tested loans for tuition costs if they are studying at a rate of at least one-quarter of the intensity of a full-time course. This is an extension on the original proposal—of one-third intensity—and will extend the availability of the loan to a greater number of students, and better reflect the way that many part-time courses are structured. New part-time students will be able to defer repaying their loans until they are employment and earning at least £21,000 a year. We will also improve the advice and guidance available to young people so that they are aware of the support available.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4923; 723 c215-6WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Fees and charges Higher education Loans Part-time education Universities Students
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk