HC Deb 28 February 2000 vol 345 cc144-5W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the courses eligible for the disabled student allowance; and what plans he has to increase the number of courses. [108137]

Mr. Wicks

To be eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowances, a student should be studying full-time on a designated course as defined in the Education (Student Support) Regulations 1999. The list is as follows

  1. 1. A first degree other than a course referred to at paragraph 4.
  2. 2. A course for the Diploma of Higher Education.
  3. 3. A course for the Higher National Diploma or Higher National Certificate of:
    1. (a) the Business and Technician Education Council; or
    2. (b) the Scottish Qualification Authority.
  4. 4. A course for the initial training of teachers, including such a course leading to a first degree.
    5. 145W
  5. 5. A course for the further training of teachers or youth and community workers.
  6. 6. A course in preparation for a professional examination of a standard higher than that of:
    1. (a) examinations at advanced level for the General Certificate of Education or the examination at higher level for the Scottish Certificate of Education; or
    2. (b) the examination for the National Certificate or the National Diploma of either the bodies mentioned in paragraph 3 not being a course for entry to which a first degree (or equivalent qualification) is normally required.
  7. 7. A course providing education (whether or not in preparation for an examination) the standard of which is:
    1. (a) higher than that of courses providing education in preparation for any of the examinations mentioned in paragraph (6)(a) or (b); but
    2. (b) not higher than that of a first degree course, and for entry to which a first degree (or equivalent qualification) is not normally required.

From September 2000, part-time students studying at least 50 per cent. of an equivalent full-time designated course will also be eligible for Disabled Students Allowances.

Some students in receipt of NHS bursaries are also eligible for Disabled Students Allowances. NHS funded student support is a matter for the NHS Executive and the Department of Health.