HC Deb 23 November 1981 vol 13 c293W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the level of fees paid by university students studying in Great Britain who are nationals of Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America, France, Germany and Italy, respectively; and what element of British Government subsidy is involved in each case.

Mr. Waldegrave

The level of tuition fees paid and the amount of Government subsidy involved for university students in Great Britain from Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America, France, Germany and Italy respectively in the academic year 1980–81 was as follows:

Fee Subsidy per Head (November 1980 prices)
£ £
Australia, New Zealand, USA
Students (who had started their course in 1979–80 or earlier):
Postgraduates 1,525 2,385
Undergraduates 1,165 2,745
New entrants: Full cost Nil
France, Germany, Italy
All students
Postgraduates 1,105 2,805
Undergraduates 740 3,170

A student's liability to pay the overseas rate of tuition fee does not depend on his or her nationality but on whether the student has been ordinarily resident in the area of the European Community for three years immediately preceding the course in question.

The amount of subsidy shown is the difference between the fee charged and the average unit cost for courses, other than medical courses.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why European Economic Community students were relieved of the fees increase applied to foreign and Commonwealth students at British Universities.

Mr. Waldegrave

Because the Government are committed, in common with other member States, to promoting student mobility within the European Community.