AQW 9476/22-27

Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Foyle

Tabled Date: 22/03/2024
Answered On Date: 29/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy for an update on (i) the findings of the Review of the Northern Ireland Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan; and (ii) the implementation of those findings.

Answer:

Following the Review of the Northern Ireland Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan, my Department undertook a public consultation on various options from 26 April 2021 to 25 June 2021. The consultation document, along with the Departmental response, can be found online at the following web address: https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/consultations/review-northern-ireland-postgraduate-tuition-fee-loan.

As stated in the response, the former Minister decided to proceed with Options 1 and 4 of the consultation. My Department therefore currently provides a loan of up to £6,500 to eligible students from here undertaking eligible postgraduate course including postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, taught Master’s or research Master’s at local Higher Education Institutions.

From academic year 2024/25 this will be extended to postgraduate students from this jurisdiction studying in the south of Ireland.