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WQ.48/2018
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION BY DEPUTY J.M. MAÇON OF ST. SAVIOUR
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 6th MARCH 2018
Question
Given the announcement of the U.K. Government to review further education, what work, if any, is the Minister undertaking to contribute to this review; and, given the fact that Jersey students have been deemed to be overseas students and have therefore paid higher fees, what work in particular is the Minister doing to prevent this situation continuing in the future?
Answer
As a result of joint representations in the past by the three Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man), the vast majority of our students are treated as if they are home students from the UK and not overseas. This means our students, for the large part, pay the same tuition fees as a student who is resident in England. There are a few exceptions including some specialist arts, dance and music institutions and Cambridge University and Imperial College but the numbers are small. Falmouth and Liverpool university also charge extra rates for some courses.
The one-year review announced by the UK Prime Minister in October 2017 and launched on 19 February 2018 is looking at Post-18 Education and Funding'. The terms of reference cover four main areas but they relate specifically to the UK education system and UK funding mechanisms. This means they are not directly relevant to Jersey, which has a separate education law and different education system and does not have access to the UK student loan.
The terms of reference are:
- Choice across post-18 education: Identifying ways to help people make more effective choices between the different options available after 18, ensuring they have access to a genuine range of high quality academic, technical or vocational routes.
- Value for money for UK taxpayers: Looking at how students and graduates contribute to the cost of their studies, to ensure funding arrangements across post-18 education in the future are transparent and do not stop people from accessing higher education or training.
- Access for all: Enabling people from all backgrounds to progress and succeed in post-18 education, while also examining how disadvantaged students receive additional financial support from the UK government, universities and colleges.
- Skills provision: How the UK's post-18 education system can boost the UK economy and deliver on the UK government's Industrial Strategy.
The details of UK review, which is being led by an independent panel, were only announced recently and there has been no opportunity for the relevant Ministers to consider potential submissions.
Irrespective of whether Jersey contributes to the UK Review, our ongoing discussions with the UK Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and with Universities UK will continue as they are the main points of contact in respect of higher education matters, including the level of fees.