§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the average cost, per student across all subjects, of education(a) in United Kingdom universities as a whole, (b) in United Kingdom 271W polytechnics as a whole, (c) in Scottish universities, (d) in English universities, (e) in Welsh universities, (f) in English polytechnics and (g) in the Polytechnic of Wales.
Mr. Jackson[pursuant to his reply, 24 April 1990, c. 145]: It is not possible to determine the teaching cost per student in universities. The available information, published in the universities' statistical record—for example, "University Statistics, Volume 3" for the academic year 1987–88—relates to aggregate income and expenditure without differentiation between teaching and research. Recurrent expenditure, excluding specific expenditure, by universities on teaching and research per full-time equivalent United Kingdom university student was £6,385 in the academic year 1987–88.
The lower research load of polytechnics means that their unit cost is a closer reflection of the unit cost of teaching. For the financial year 1987–88, this was £3,356 for English polytechnics, calculated by reference to net recurrent institutional expenditure per full-time equivalent student.