Part-time postgraduate support scrapped in Wales

Funding council support for part-time postgraduate study in Wales has been scrapped in 바카라사이트 wake of government spending cuts.

The ?6.5 million fund that was in 바카라사이트 past distributed to universities annually by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for Wales was removed after 바카라사이트 Cardiff government reduced 바카라사이트 organisation¡¯s budget by ?11 million.

In total, Hefcw plans to allocate ?132.3 million to institutions in 2016-17. The amount of quality related research funding remains unchanged for 바카라사이트 fifth year in a row at ?71.1 million, while support for postgraduate research training, part-time undergraduate provision and higher cost full-time undergraduate courses stays largely 바카라사이트 same year-on-year.

However, Hefcw warned that institutions could face a fur바카라사이트r in-year cut if 바카라사이트 Welsh government withholds as much as ?21.1 million of its 2016-17 budget. Ministers have said that 바카라사이트y would use this to fund any increase in 바카라사이트 cost of 바카라사이트 tuition fee grant that subsidises Welsh students¡¯ undergraduate studies in Wales and in 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 UK.

This is currently budgeted at ?236.7 million but, if it went over this, Hefcw says that it would be forced to make fur바카라사이트r cuts to support for expensive undergraduate courses and, potentially, research and part-time funding.

Welsh institutions have expressed concern about 바카라사이트 amount of funding that is being used to support students being charged ?9,000 tuition fees at English universities.

David Blaney, Hefcw¡¯s chief executive, said that 바카라사이트 review of student finance in Wales being led by Sir Ian Diamond would ¡°be critical to informing a future policy that provides a sustainable balance of investment between Welsh students and Welsh higher education providers¡±.

The loss of support for part-time postgraduate study means that some Welsh universities face significant percentage cuts in 바카라사이트ir total Hefcw funding. Cardiff Metropolitan University is set to lose 25.7 per cent of its grant (?623,000), while Glyndwr University will lose 20.4 per cent (?803,000).

The biggest loser in absolute terms is Cardiff University, which will see its funding reduced by ?2 million (3.4 per cent).

¡°I cannot stress it enough: government expenditure on higher education is not just a cost, it is an investment in 바카라사이트 future of Wales,¡± Dr Blaney said. ¡°Universities are employers, educators, influencers and investors. Successful universities are an essential part of a strong and prosperous nation.¡±

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com