§ Mrs. LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average level of tuition fees charged for a taught postgraduate degree was in the UK last year; and what level of Government funded assistance was offered to students undertaking postgraduate degrees in the UK last year. [174135]
§ Alan JohnsonStudents on Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses were liable for a fee contribution of up to £1,100 in the 2002/03 academic year. The Department does not regulate the level of fees for any other postgraduate courses. It is a matter for higher education institutions to determine the level of fees they charge.
Full tuition fee remission and bursaries of £6,000 are available to eligible post graduate students on PGCE courses. Other postgraduate courses are not eligible for fee remission. Eligible postgraduates with a disability will have been able to receive assistance for e.g. specialist equipment, additional travel and non medical help costs through disabled students allowances (DSAs), up to a maximum of £5,245.
Students on all post graduate courses were able to apply to their institution for help from the discretionary Access and Hardship Funds. The total amount awarded from this fund to post graduate students in 2002/03 was £6.5 million. Awards were subject to income assessment and could cover additional course or living costs.