The Department of Education has launched a public consultation exercise over the future of support for students entering higher education.
In addition to paying maintenance awards on a means-tested basis, the Department has traditionally met all tuition fees for university students providing they meet its criteria, despite the recent rise in fees charges by universities.
An increase in the number of students going to university, together with the additional pressure of the recent review of the revenue-sharing agreements with the UK, means that the Department is now reviewing the level of support it provides.
While the review mainly relates to to postgraduate student support, other changes being considered may affect undergraduates. These include the possibility of a capped contribution from some students toward tuition fees on a means-tested basis, based on parental income.
Possible changes to postgraduate support include: extending means-testing to all postgraduate tuition fees (except those leading to medical dentistry, pharmaceutical, veterinary or architectural qualifications); capping support for postgraduate tuition fees at ?15,000 a year; and raising the academic qualification for postgraduate support.
The UK Government is currently conducting a review of university funding which may result in an increase in the undergraduate tuition fees payable by the Department from 2011/2012.
Public views are consequently being sought on the following proposals:
1. A maximum contribution from the student of ?1,000 a year towards tuitions fees, on a means-tested basis, subject to parental income.
2. A maximum three years’ support for full-time degrees where both three and four-year courses are available in a subject.
3. An increase the period for which you need to have been resident in the Island before qualifying for an award from the current three to five years.
4. An increase in the minimum academic standard required to qualify for an award - from two 'D' grades to two 'C' grades.
Education Minister Anne Craine MHK comments, "The Department has been able to offer the best possible opportunities to students wishing to take degree courses in higher education.
"Our students can choose from a virtually unlimited range of subjects and can study at a wide range of institutions in the British Isles and beyond.
"It is certainly not our intention to introduce any changes to the awards scheme that will deter Isle of Man students from fulfilling their potential and gaining the qualifications that will lead them onto their chosen career paths.
"However, rising student numbers and increasing tuition fees for postgraduate courses, together with the fiscal challenges facing the Island, have put pressure on the Department’s budgets. This, together with the impending UK review, means we are inviting views on possible methods by which we can address this.
"This consultation exercise is part of an annual review that the Department undertakes before taking its recommendations for the Student Award Regulations to Tynwald in April each year."
The consultation document can be found at www.gov.im/consultations or be obtained from the Department’s offices at St George’s Court on Upper Church Street, Douglas.
Among those being directly asked for their views are Tynwald Members, the Attorney General, local authorities, chief officers of Government Departments, the Chamber of Commerce, the Law Society, the Principal of the Isle of Man College, the Director of the International Business School and secondary school headteachers.
Students currently in receipt of awards will also be consulted directly. However, the Minister says, "I can add an assurance that any change in the way awards are allocated will not affect current undergraduate and postgraduate students.
"We are deliberately launching the consultation to coincide with many students being at home for Christmas. However, we are exceeding the standard consultation period of six weeks and accepting views right up until noon on 12 February 2010, to take into account the fact others might be away and might need time at the start of the new year to consider the document and get in touch with us."
The Department will publish a summary of views submitted.
