§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list those courses which previously attracted a discretionary student award but are now deemed to attract a mandatory award as a result of the change in status of polytechnics to universities.
§ Mr. BoswellFull-time and sandwich courses of at least three academic years' duration provided by universities and leading to a certificate, diploma, or other award comparable to a first degree are automatically designated, as a class, for mandatory awards by the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 1992. Similar degree-comparable courses at institutions other than universities may be specifically designated on an individual basis by my right hon. Friend under the regulations. Where such courses have not been designated, local education authorities may make discretionary awards in respect of attendance on them. There is no central list of individual courses in the former polytechnics which became automatically designated when those institutions took the title of university.