HC Deb 25 June 1982 vol 26 c197W
Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the annual cost of third-level students from Northern Ireland currently in attendance at universities and other institutions in Great Britain including student grants and average or typical institution costs.

Mr. Scott

Expenditure in higher education institutions in Great Britain is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and Science and for Scotland.

Complete information on the costs of awards to Northern Ireland students tenable at institutions in Great Britain is not readily available. However, it is estimated that for the academic year 1980–81 these totalled some £8.3 million.

Higher Education

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of higher education institutions in Northern Ireland outside the universities; and what is the number of full-time, sandwich and part-time students in attendance.

Mr. Scott

There are four higher education institutions in Northern Ireland, apart from the universities. They are the Ulster Polytechnic and the three colleges of education. In January 1981 there were 3,890 full-time, 1,531 sandwich and 2,781 part-time students at these establishments.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated net recurrent cost of higher education in Northern Ireland outside the universities.

Mr. Scott

Recurrent grants, excluding student awards, to the Ulster Polytechnic and the three Northern Ireland colleges of education totalled £16.2 million in 1981–82.