§ Sir George Youngasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her policy towards the charging by polytechnics of fees to students for field and similar courses which are obligatory for particular degrees, in addition to fees determined for advanced level courses, when the fees for the extra courses are not considered as part of the needs of the student as determined in the awards regulations.
§ Mr. OakesIt would be contrary to Government policy for a mandatory award holder to be charged a fee for his course greater than that allowed for in his award.
Although the fees to be charged in polytechnics are a matter for the governing bodies of the individual establishments, my right hon. Friend recommends the amounts to be charged for tuition fees and, through the awards regulations, sets a corresponding limit on the amount of such fees which may be paid as part of a mandatory award. My right hon. Friend recognises that this amount falls short of the full cost of provision, and she would expect the difference between the recommended fee and the full cost to be charged to the running costs of the establishment. In a maintained college, this would then be an admissible charge on the advanced further education pool.
Under an agreement reached with the local authority associations in 1975, mandatory awards to students at maintained establishments of further education do not include any assistance towards the cost of field courses or vacation study. Students should seek any assistance needed for these items from the establishment.