§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what funds are available other than at the discretion of the local education authority to enable a graduate to pursue a two-year course in clinical communication studies leading to the M. Med. Sc. degree.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsLocal education authorities are unable to assist students undertaking full-time courses or research leading to a higher degree since these are the responsibility of either the Department of Education, the British Academy or one of the five research councils. A two-year M. Med. Sc course in clinical communications studies does not currently attract a postgraduate award from the relevant award-making body.
Publicly funded institutions receive access funds to provide discretionary assistance to students in further or 122W higher education who may be in financial difficulty. Full-time postgraduate students are able to apply for help from the funds. Many students at this level, however, obtain sponsorship, loans from banks or receive help from the educational trusts.