§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students make contributions towards their university education of(a) the full cost, (b) more than £500, and (c) less than £500; and how many make no such contribution. [147535]
§ Mr. Wicks[holding answer 26 January 2001]: Undergraduates taking their first degree course are expected to make a contribution towards their higher education only if they can afford to do so. From 2001–02, we expect around 50 per cent. of students to make no contribution to tuition fees, as a result of the rise in the income threshold. Over 85 per cent. of mature students do not pay fees. No student pays the full amount of tuition as the maximum fee set amounts to 28 per cent. of the average cost of an undergraduate course.
In 1998–99, the latest year for which data are available, there were 241,000 English and Welsh higher education students liable for fees under the Education (Student Support) Regulations. Of these, 45 per cent. were exempt from making a contribution towards fees, 20 per cent. of students made a partial contribution, and only 35 per cent. were expected to make a full contribution towards fees. Of the 20 per cent. of students making a partial contribution, it is estimated some 58 per cent. paid £500 or less and 42 per cent. paid more than £500.