§ Mrs. LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what(a) financial assistance and (b) grants his Department offers students undertaking postgraduate degrees in social sciences. [174131]
§ Alan JohnsonResearch awards to postgraduate students in the social sciences are awarded on a competitive basis by the Economic and Social Research Council, funded by the Office of Science and Technology. Research council awards include increased tax free stipends (from £9,000 for 2004–05 to £12,000 by 2005–06) to cover living expenses.
Post graduate students, regardless of discipline, are not eligible for student loans and grants. They are free to apply for a Career Development Loan, a scheme which is administered by my Department. Postgraduates with a disability are able to receive assistance for specialist equipment, for example, as well as additional travel and non medical help costs through 1159W Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs), up to a maximum of £5,370 in academic year 2003/04 and £5,500 in 2004/05.
§ Mrs. LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action he is taking to widen participation in postgraduate study of social sciences. [174133]
§ Alan JohnsonThe Government are investing significant sums in widening access to higher education. This will have the additional benefit of increasing the supply of potential postgraduate students, including students in the social sciences. The increased funding available for science and research, (up £1. 25 million by 2005/06 compared to 2003/04) will also expand the opportunities for research across all disciplines. Financial support for postgraduate study is available through the Career Development Loan Scheme which is administered by my Department.