TNAG-2764-FCO40-3981-UK-Hong-Kong-Scholarship-Scheme-donation-to-the-UK-Governme-1993 — Page 80

}

'93 11:33 DEPT OF EDUCATION 071 925 6985

2 -

Various changes since 1981 have taken place concerning the fees payable to state universities but the current position is that

for the year commencing September 1991 the minimum fee would be £1,775 with an increase for science or medical courses.

The corresponding figure for Buckingham students is £1,880 regardless of discipline. In order to maintain Buckingham's level of competitiveness based on the original formula this figure would be £1,775 x 4/3 = £2,366. This is without any banding for science or medical subjects. [When state universities are currently willing to take students on a "fees only" basis Buckingham finds itself at a serious disadvantage.]

Assisted Students.

P.S 8

The contribution made by Local Education Authorities towards The University of Buckingham tuition fees is less than 25% of the total payable. This leaves approximately £6,000 for the student to finance from his own resources, or those of his parents or perhaps a sponsor.

Regulation 23 of The Education [Mandatory Awards] Regulations indicates that if a student receives a scholarship, studentship, exhibition or award of similar description which exceeds the aggregate of the fees described in Schedule 1 and maintenances described in various parts of Schedule 2 of the regulations, then no payment of fees shall be made

The fees contribution described in Schedule 1 for 1991/92 are £1,880 and the maximum maintenance payable would normally be in the region of £2,700 [except for mature or disabled students or those with dependents]. Therefore any student who arranges for a sponsor to pay the balance of the fees will be penalised by losing the whole of his LEA grant if he declares this to the LEA.

Therefore a student at Buckingham is immediately disadvantaged if he merely obtains a scholarship from an outside source to pay his tuition fees. A student at a "public" university could obtain a scholarship for help with his maintenance and not be penalised. It must also be noted that the fees described in Schedule 1 are greater over the course of a three year degree at a "public" university than for two years at Buckingham [see also note 2 contribution towards fees).