HC Deb 06 December 1984 vol 69 cc241-2W
Mr. Spencer

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to fees charged for tuition by universities in each of the Euopean Community countries to British citizens who were not resident in the country in question prior to the proposed course of study.

Mr. Brooke

My right hon. Friend understands that all member states of the European Community with the exception of Belgium treat students from other Community countries on the same basis as their own students for fees purposes.

Mr. Spencer

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what tuition fees British universities will charge in the years 1984–85 and 1985–86 to students who are nationals of European Community countries and who were not resident in the United Kingdom prior to their course of study.

Mr. Dunn

The average expenditure per pupil by local education authorities in England, in cash and in 1979–80 cost terms, on books and on equipment in each of the four years to 1982–83, the latest year for which firm figures are available, is set out in the table:

Mr. Brooke

It is for universities themselves to decide what tuition fees to charge the students they admit. Under paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations 1983, nationals of European Community member states who can meet the specified ordinary residence requirements in the Community area are eligible to pay the home rates of fee at British universities. My right hon. Friend announced on 21 February this year that, for the academic year 1984–85, he had recommended fee levels for home and European Community students of £500 for first degree and diploma courses and of £1,569 for postgraduate courses. In giving details on 12 November this year of the Government's expenditure plans for education and science in 1985–86, my right hon. Friend announced that the cash available allowed for a tuition fee of £520 for home full-time and sandwich course students in courses designated for mandatory student awards. So far as postgraduate courses are concerned my right hon. Friend is recommending a fee of £1,632 in 1985–86 for home and European Community students.