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29/05/2012
Fifth Of NI Students Getting Irish Passports
One in five Northern Irish students are applying for Irish passports to study in Dundee for free, a local newspaper there reported.
The Courier said that 20% of NI students intending to go to the city, which has a high Northern Irish student population, are exploiting what a reporter called a "bizarre loophole".
The newspaper claimed it had seen figures which "show hundreds of Northern Irish students applying to Dundee University this year are claiming to be eligible for free tuition as they hold an Irish passport"
Under EU anti-discrimination rules, students with Irish passports can avoid fees in Scotland at universities were nationality is tested on the applicant's passport, not residence.
It would amount to a £9,000 saving per year for students who take advantage of it.
But Scottish Conservatives said the issue "has to be cleared up urgently".
Liz Smith MSP called on the Scottish National Party government to take action, saying the loophole would lead to loss of "significant revenue".
Students have now been advised to get written confirmation of the fee structure at their chosen university.
(NE)
The Courier said that 20% of NI students intending to go to the city, which has a high Northern Irish student population, are exploiting what a reporter called a "bizarre loophole".
The newspaper claimed it had seen figures which "show hundreds of Northern Irish students applying to Dundee University this year are claiming to be eligible for free tuition as they hold an Irish passport"
Under EU anti-discrimination rules, students with Irish passports can avoid fees in Scotland at universities were nationality is tested on the applicant's passport, not residence.
It would amount to a £9,000 saving per year for students who take advantage of it.
But Scottish Conservatives said the issue "has to be cleared up urgently".
Liz Smith MSP called on the Scottish National Party government to take action, saying the loophole would lead to loss of "significant revenue".
Students have now been advised to get written confirmation of the fee structure at their chosen university.
(NE)
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16 August 2001
Northern Ireland pupils are in a class of their own
Northern Ireland students have outperformed their peers in England and Wales in both A-level and the new AS level exams. Figures released by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) on Thursday August 16 show a record 48,000 grades have been issued to Northern Ireland students across all exam boards.
Northern Ireland pupils are in a class of their own
Northern Ireland students have outperformed their peers in England and Wales in both A-level and the new AS level exams. Figures released by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) on Thursday August 16 show a record 48,000 grades have been issued to Northern Ireland students across all exam boards.
30 June 2010
Russian Spies 'Used Irish Passports'
It has emerged that at least one false Irish passport was used by a Russian espionage ring allegedly operating in the US. The passport is said to have been passed to a Richard Murphy, who is among 11 people currently under trail in Manhattan Federal court, charged with being a Russian spy.
Russian Spies 'Used Irish Passports'
It has emerged that at least one false Irish passport was used by a Russian espionage ring allegedly operating in the US. The passport is said to have been passed to a Richard Murphy, who is among 11 people currently under trail in Manhattan Federal court, charged with being a Russian spy.
14 September 2012
Scottish Universities' Irish Passport Loophole To Be Closed
The Scottish government has decided to close a loophole that allowed Northern Irish students to study for free as long as they had an Irish passport. Under new rules coming in next year, it will not be enough to hold an EU passport to dodge the fees of up to £9,000 per academic year.
Scottish Universities' Irish Passport Loophole To Be Closed
The Scottish government has decided to close a loophole that allowed Northern Irish students to study for free as long as they had an Irish passport. Under new rules coming in next year, it will not be enough to hold an EU passport to dodge the fees of up to £9,000 per academic year.
19 July 2004
Queen's welcomes overseas students
More than 50 overseas students arrived in Belfast at the weekend to take part in a three-week International Summer School at Queen's University. Now in its fourth year, the Summer School programme, entitled 'Ireland: Northern Perspectives', runs from 19 July to 6 August, and is coordinated by the Institute of Irish Studies at Queen's.
Queen's welcomes overseas students
More than 50 overseas students arrived in Belfast at the weekend to take part in a three-week International Summer School at Queen's University. Now in its fourth year, the Summer School programme, entitled 'Ireland: Northern Perspectives', runs from 19 July to 6 August, and is coordinated by the Institute of Irish Studies at Queen's.
13 June 2012
Stormont Cuts Grants To Students In Republic
Stormont has cut its financial support for Northern Irish students at universities in the Republic. As of September 2013, the £1810 grant paid by the Department of Employment and Learning for every student in the Republic of Ireland will be withdrawn.
Stormont Cuts Grants To Students In Republic
Stormont has cut its financial support for Northern Irish students at universities in the Republic. As of September 2013, the £1810 grant paid by the Department of Employment and Learning for every student in the Republic of Ireland will be withdrawn.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Largely dry with clear spells at first, a few showers in the north and west. Becoming cloudier with rain spreading east through the early hours. Becoming windy, westerly gales developing along the north coast. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
