AQW 18883/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 27/11/2024
Answered On Date: 02/12/2024
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any plans he has to address the inequality in postgraduate loan provision between Northern Ireland and England, with a maximum loan of £6,500 for those normally resident in Northern Ireland and a maximum of £12,471 for those normally resident in England.

Answer:

Following a public consultation the maximum postgraduate tuition fee loan amount available here rose from £5,500 to £6,500 for academic year 2023/24. Alongside this, there was a commitment to review this after three years.

I have committed to a review of Higher Education Funding, including the financial support provided to students and have instructed my officials to bring forward detailed proposals for this review. I will be considering whether the issue of postgraduate tuition fee loans is addressed through this proposed Funding Review or separately.