§ Lord Forsyth of Drumleanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 6 May (WA 129):
- (a) what proposals have been discussed with Ministers regarding Scottish students attending English universities; and
- (b) whether students from England who attend Scottish universities will be charged the same fee as Scottish students; and [HL2762]
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 6 May (WA 129), when they anticipate the meeting on cross-border issues will reach a conclusion; and whether English students attending Scottish universities will be eligible for a maintenance grant. [HL2763]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)Scottish students attending English universities from 2006 will continue to be liable to pay the same level of fees as English students who attend those institutions. English students at Scottish universities currently pay a means-tested fixed fee up front; Scottish and EU students at Scottish universities pay no fee up front as the Scottish Executive pays this directly to institutions on behalf of these students. Some Scottish and EU students are liable to make a one-off graduate endowment payment after they have graduated.
Our intention is to offer English students studying in Scotland the same package as English students studying in England in 2006–07: a loan to cover their fees, and the same grant and loan support for living costs. Student support for Scottish domiciled students is the responsibility of Scottish Ministers.
The Scottish Executive is currently considering funding arrangements following the outcome of the third phase of its higher education review and we understand the Scottish Executive will be announcing its conclusions early in the summer. We will confirm the position for English students in Scotland in the light of the Scottish Executive's decisions.