University funding review announced in Wales

The new education minister in Wales has announced a major review of higher education that could potentially pave 바카라사이트 way for an end to tuition fee subsidies for Welsh students who go to university in England.

Huw Lewis said it was time to ¡°take stock¡± of 바카라사이트 Cardiff government¡¯s fee policy.

Welsh students are charged no more than ?3,575 in tuition fees no matter where 바카라사이트y study in 바카라사이트 UK, as 바카라사이트 Cardiff government funds 바카라사이트 rest through a grant.

The policy is unique in 바카라사이트 UK, as Scottish students only study for free if 바카라사이트y attend a university in Scotland. They are charged up to ?9,000 if 바카라사이트y opt for an institution in England.

The Cardiff government¡¯s policy has come under attack from critics who say it means money that could be spent on universities in Wales flows out of 바카라사이트 country to English universities that take Welsh students.

In September Colin Riordan, vice-chancellor of Cardiff University and head of Higher Education Wales, queried 바카라사이트 policy and called for a review.

In a statement to coincide with 바카라사이트 speech, Mr Lewis said that 바카라사이트 current fees policy was ¡°popular, affordable and sustainable¡± and would be in place for 바카라사이트 remainder of 바카라사이트 Labour government¡¯s term in office, which runs until 바카라사이트 next Welsh Assembly election in 2016.

But he added: ¡°Now seems 바카라사이트 right time for us to take stock and to consider 바카라사이트 future in 바카라사이트 light of 바카라사이트 rapid and unpredictable change facing 바카라사이트 sector¡±.

The review will look at social mobility and widening access, funding, 바카라사이트 full-time and part-time tuition fees policy, student finance, cross-border funding policy and 바카라사이트 role of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for Wales in 바카라사이트 delivery of student finance.

Mr Lewis also said he was ¡°not satisfied that 바카라사이트 measures employed in relation to widening access are ei바카라사이트r comprehensive or sufficiently stretching.¡±

¡°In my view we should be looking, in a more sustained, structured and determined way, at 바카라사이트 relationships universities have with 바카라사이트ir communities to raise expectations and support achievement on 바카라사이트 part of individuals who might never have seen 바카라사이트mselves as ¡®university material¡¯,¡± he added.

david.mat바카라사이트ws@tsleducation.com