Student fees in 2006: cross-border issues

English-domiciled students studying in England
Variable fee, up to ?3,000 a year. Payment may be deferred until after graduation by taking out a loan for fees. Repayments start once graduates are earning over ?15,000.

Student loans available, with the amount varying according to place of study. All students eligible for 75% of maximum figure, with the remainder dependent on household income and amount of maintenance grant received. There will be three rates: at home, away from home, or away from home in London. Non-repayable government grants of up to ?2,700 a year available, means-tested. In addition, each university that charges the full ?3,000 fee must provide a bursary of at least ?300 to students receiving the full grant. Many universities offering additional bursary schemes to students from low-income families and high-achievers.

English-domiciled students studying in Wales
No variable fees in Wales in 2006-07. Beyond that date is subject to final decision by Welsh assembly, due this month. Students will pay a fixed-rate fee of about ?1,200 a year, regardless of parental income. Payment may be deferred until after graduation by taking out a loan for fees. Repayments start once graduates are earning more than ?15,000. Students will be entitled to the same level of student support they would get in their home country.

English-domiciled students studying in Scotland
Fixed-rate fee, regardless of parental income, likely to be between ?1,700 and ?1,900 a year. English students may lose their free fourth year. Legislation to introduce a higher flat-rate fee for medical students from outside Scotland (likely to be ?3,000 a year) is also being debated. A final announcement is expected by the summer. Payment of fees may be deferred until after graduation by taking out a loan. Repayments will start once graduates earn over ?15,000. Students will be entitled to the same package of student support as in their home country.

English-domiciled students studying in Northern Ireland
Proposals to introduce variable fees and fee deferral in Northern Ireland are under discussion; final announcement expected by the end of May. Likely that students will be entitled to the same package of student support as they would in their home country.

Welsh-domiciled students studying in Wales
In 2006-07 students will pay a fixed rate fee of about ?1,200 a year, regardless of parental income. No decision yet on subsequent years. Payment may be deferred until after graduation by taking out a loan for fees. Repayments start once graduates earn more than ?15,000. Welsh students entitled to a Welsh assembly means-tested grant of up to ?2,700. Maintenance loans will be available, with the amount varying according to place of study. All students are eligible to 75% of maximum figure, with the remainder of the amount dependent on household income and amount of maintenance grant received.

Welsh-domiciled students studying in England
Variable fee, up to ?3,000 a year. Payment may be deferred until after graduation by taking out a loan for fees. Repayments will start once graduates earn over ?15,000, on a sliding scale in line with income. Students will be entitled to a means-tested maintenance grant of up to ?2,700. Maintenance loans will be available, as for Welsh students studying in Wales. Students likely to be eligible for bursaries provided by English institutions charging variable fees.

Welsh-domiciled students studying in Scotland
Same arrangements as for English students studying in Scotland (see above).

Welsh students studying in Northern Ireland
Same arrangements as for English students in Northern Ireland (see above).

Scottish-domiciled students studying in Scotland
No tuition fees, but Scottish graduates pay a graduate endowment (GE), a one-off payment at the end of their course. Those starting degree courses in 2004 are paying ?2,154. Figures not finalised for 2006-07. HNC, HND, mature students, lone parents and disabled students are exempt from GE liability. The graduate endowment is payable by liable graduates on April 1 following graduation.

Students get means-tested loans towards living costs. Young students from low-income families receive part of their living cost in the form of a non-repayable young students' bursary (YSB). The maximum YSB in 2005-06 will rise to ?2,395, for students whose parents earn up to ?17,500. Some bursary support available to those from homes with parental incomes of up to ?31,000. Other grants available for mature students, student parents and disabled students.

Scottish-domiciled students studying in England
Variable fee, up to ?3,000 a year. Payment may be deferred until after graduation by taking out a loan for fees. Repayments start once graduates are earning over ?15,000. A means-tested maintenance loan will be available. Up to ?2,000 of the student loan for living costs will be replaced by a means tested bursary. Details being finalised.

Students likely to be eligible for bursaries provided by English institutions charging variable fees, but this is up to the individual institution.

Scottish-domiciled students studying in Wales
In 2006-07 students will pay a fixed rate fee of about ?1,200 a year, regardless of parental income. Subsequent years to be decided. No student will have to pay fees upfront. Payment may be deferred until after graduation by taking out a loan for fees. Repayments start once graduates earn over ?15,000. Means-tested maintenance loan will be available. Up to ?2,000 of the student loan for living costs will be replaced by a means-tested bursary. Details being finalised.

Scottish-domiciled students studying in Northern Ireland
Same arrangements as for English students in Northern Ireland (see above).

Northern Irish-domiciled students studying in Northern Ireland
Proposals to introduce variable fees and fee deferral are under discussion, with a final announcement expected by the end of May. Levels of student support will depend on decisions following the consultation.

Northern Irish-domiciled students studying in England
Variable fee, up to ?3,000. The package of student support will depend on decisions taken in Northern Ireland following the current consultation. Northern Irish students studying in England are likely to be eligible for bursaries provided by English institutions charging variable fees.

Northern Irish-domiciled students studying in Wales
In 2006-07 students will pay a fixed rate fee of about ?1,200 a year, regardless of parental income. Subsequent years still to be decided. Levels of student support for students will depend on decisions taken in Northern Ireland following the current consultation.

Northern Irish-domiciled students studying in Scotland
Fixed rate fee, regardless of parental income, which is likely to rise to between ?1,700 and ?1,900 a year. A higher flat-rate fee for medical students from outside Scotland, likely to be ?3,000, may be introduced. Final announcement expected by the summer. Package of student support will depend on decisions taken in Northern Ireland following the current consultation.

Students on courses in allied health professions and nursing and midwifery are eligible for financial support across the board. Depending on where you plan to study for your degree, you can obtain more information about the possible financial support on offer from the appropriate funding bodies.

The government is still finalising its policy on fee exemptions for teaching and health-related courses within England. Nursing and midwifery and allied health professions courses funded by the Department of Health are currently exempt from fees; this should remain the case subject to any change in policy.