HC Deb 16 September 2003 vol 410 c684W
Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the children of Gurkha soldiers, stationed in this country attending British schools are classified as(a) home and (b) overseas students for the purposes of university fees. [130178]

Alan Johnson

Universities and higher education colleges decide whether to classify students as "home" or "overseas" for tuition fee purposes using the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations 1997, as amended. To qualify for home fee status under these regulations, students at higher education institutions normally need to have been resident in the UK for three years before the start of their course, and have "settled status" under the Immigration Act 1971.