§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students will start on post A-level courses this year which are not regarded as the start of a higher education course for the purposes of the payment of tuition fees in 1998; and, of these, how many will be art foundation course students. [26506]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 30 January 1998]: We estimate that there will be around 35,000 students starting courses in 1998 who will, for the purposes of mandatory awards and student loans, be treated as "existing" students and will not, therefore, have to pay tuition fee contributions for the duration of their course.
857WStudents starting a higher education course in 1998–99 who were art foundation course students in 1997–98 will be classed as new entrants and, subject to means-testing, will have to contribute to tuition fees.