TNAG-1188-FCO40-1490-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 84

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fees at British educational establishments.

This will save

HMG some £90 million a year. It has led to a switch in

applications by Hong Kong students from British to Canadian

universities. The Hong Kong Government have instituted a

means-tested scheme to provide loans for their students on

first-degree or equivalent courses in the UK. The DES is

meanwhile monitoring the effects of the fees rise. Some

feeling remains in Hong Kong over the move but it is broadly

accepted that there is no prospect of a reversion to the

old 'home student' rate. The Overseas Students' Trust has

been studying the whole question of overseas students' fees.

They are expected to report in the next two or three weeks.

Hong Kong and General Department

18 May 1982

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