NI Student Fees Look Likely To 'Double'

A Government review of the way university courses are funded looks like recommending the cap on charges should be scrapped.

The man behind the findings, former BP boss, Lord Browne wants the current limit on tuition fees increased from £3,290 to at least £7,000.

Now, the Stormont Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, is to consider the findings of both the Browne Review and another report, the Stuart Review.

He said he will set up a group to consider the best way to fund university education in NI.

However, speaking to the Assembly Sir Reg said it was "too early" to make a full statement on the Browne review.

Sir Reg will instead establish a core group of people interested in higher education to help develop future student finance policy in Northern Ireland. The first meeting will be held in November.

He explained that the Browne Review was tasked with making recommendations to the Westminster Government on the future of higher education funding and student finance for full and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students in England.

Sir Reg said today: "I am glad that Lord Browne's report has now been published.

"I will be carefully considering the detail of the report, alongside the Stuart Review - commissioned by my Department - on variable fees and future student finance arrangements in Northern Ireland.

"I will then launch a public consultation on these important issues, which will include an update from Joanne Stuart which will reflect on Lord Browne’s recommendations," he said.

He said the consultation will stimulate a mature and responsible debate on the funding of higher education here: "It is vital that we create a long term, strategic plan for the future of our students in Northern Ireland," he said, outlining his commitment to the sector in Northern Ireland.

He said: "Whilst we await the detail and implications for all departments of the Comprehensive Spending Review, nonetheless, one of my concerns is to protect, as far as possible, Northern Ireland's position as having the highest participation rate of all the regions in higher education.

"In addition, we in Northern Ireland have led the way in attracting students from disadvantaged backgrounds into higher education and I want this excellent work to continue.

"Higher education, without doubt, plays a significant role in strengthening NI's economy and society and I will do my utmost to continue to support this."

Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman of the Department of Employment & Learning Committee Jonathan Bell has questioned the Minister's approach to the review of fees: "Northern Ireland leads the United Kingdom in ensuring that young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds access university.

"The DUP is aiming for a richly educated population not an educated rich," he said,

"Three principles will now guide our deliberations as we analyse the Brown review in conjunction with the Stewart report which will be reconsidered in the light of the Brown review. These are participation, quality and sustainability," the MLA continued.

"We must maintain our UK lead in bringing working class students into university education.

"We must not price students out of educational opportunity. Sustainability is critical we must ensure a resource to our universities that will translate to NI having the capacity to continue to lead the culture of learning in the United Kingdom," he said.

See: : Review Recommends No Limit On Tuition Fees

(BMcC/KMcA)