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Government Gives Green Light to “Generous” Bursaries for Students

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Government Gives Green Light to “Generous” Bursaries for Students

16 Mar 2005 16:32:05

The government has today given the thumbs-up to the University of Luton’s plan for a new system of fees and bursaries for students, as part of its Access to Higher Education proposals.

Sir Martin Harris, Director of the Office for Fair Access (OFFA), the Government’s access watchdog, said in a letter to the University: “I am very pleased to inform you that I have approved your institution’s access agreement. I would like to thank you for all the hard work which has been put in over the past few months to ensure a satisfactory outcome.”

University of Luton Vice Chancellor said: “Our proposals for fees and bursaries went through without touching the sides. But we expected that to be the case, since we have one of the best records among universities for diversity and open access.

“The fees from 2006 will be fixed at £3,000 but we are committed to matching our bursaries to the needs of our students. In fact, we believe we are offering one of the most generous bursary packages across the higher education sector.”

Luton’s detailed proposals are available at www.luton.ac.uk/fees but the main features are:

  • From 2006, most UK students1 entering higher education will no longer have to pay fees of £1,175 a year while they are at university. Instead, universities will be able to charge up to £3,000 a year in fees, which will be paid by the Government while you are studying. Like most universities, Luton plans to charge £3,000 for honours degrees studied at the University and £1,250 for foundation degrees.
  • However, rather than paying in advance, fees will only become payable once you have graduated or left University and are earning £15,000 or more. So, instead of students or parents having to pay ‘up-front’, it’s graduates who pay later. Put simply, it’s pay as you earn, not pay as you learn.
  • As well as doing away with the need to pay fees while you are learning, there will be new support available to help with living expenses while you are a student. The Government has re-introduced the Higher Education Maintenance Grant of up to £2,700 per year for UK students. The exact amount awarded will depend on your family income.
  • The Government also recommends that universities offer bursaries or cash-back to students who need help while they are studying. Here at Luton, we are going to set aside twice the Government’s recommended sum for bursaries. In fact, we propose to offer every full-time UK student taking an honours degree course at the University of Luton (and where the new fees apply) at least £300 per year 2. The cash equivalent for those from families with the lowest incomes will be £1,750 per year.
  • In addition, we offer generous scholarships to those students who are most in need financially and who can demonstrate their academic potential. As any University of Luton applicant or student, you are welcome to apply for a Scholarship. Awards start at £1,000 per year and, every year, we will be giving away tens of thousands of pounds worth of Scholarships to our most promising students.

Professor Ebdon added: “Higher education remains a very good investment. Research shows that graduates earn up to 17 per cent more than non-graduates throughout their careers and we have a number of excellent case studies on our web site to demonstrate just that.”

Notes

1. So-called ‘top-up’ fees are applicable only to full-time UK and EU students studying an honours degree course at the University of Luton (although the position for non-UK EU students remains subject to legal clarification). Different arrangements apply to international students (or international students resident in the UK).

2. Different bursary arrangements also apply to NHS students; Social Work students; British School of Osteopathy students and part-time students.

Bedfordshire University

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