Student funding arrangements are different in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In 
Northern Ireland, the Higher Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 allowed institutions in Northern Ireland to charge variable tuition fees of up to £3,000 to Northern Ireland and EU undergraduates from academic year 2006/2007. These fees increase annually in line with inflation and are £3,290 for 2010/11
Individual institutions are responsible for setting these fees. It is possible for different faculties or courses to have different fees, though almost all charge the maximum permitted amount. Students do not have to pay variable tuition fees before or during their courses. They can defer payment through a tuition fee loan.
Under variable deferred tuition fee arrangements, institutions are required to have access agreements in place which set out how some of the additional income generated by the higher fees will be used to promote access and provide financial support for students from families on low incomes.
Student financial arrangements in Northern Ireland also offer repayable means tested (25%) maintenance loans and non repayable means tested maintenance grants, special support grants and supplementary grants, including means tested parents’ learning allowance, childcare grants, adult dependants’ grants and non means tested disabled students allowances. Furthermore, less well off students are also eligible for bursaries under their access agreements. These arrangements are broadly similar to those which apply in England and Wales.
The Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) has commenced a review of tuition fees and student finance arrangements in Northern Ireland. The review will cover the impact of variable fee arrangements on HEIs, the impact of variable fee arrangements on students, and will consider the future policy for fee charging and student finance in Northern Ireland. The review is scheduled for completion in 2010.
Tuition fees for most postgraduates, international and part-time students have been set by HEIs for many years. Fees for international students vary considerably among institutions and courses.
Each year, DEL makes available funding to Queens University Belfast and the University of Ulster for research and for certain approved courses of full-time study leading to higher degrees (Masters and PhDs). The universities select, by competition, the students to fill these awards within the limits of the funding available. This scheme is the Northern Ireland equivalent of similar initiatives operated by the GB Research Councils, and the terms and conditions governing the Department’s awards broadly replicate those administered by the Research Councils.
More detailed information about student finance arrangements can be found at Student Finance Northern Ireland or consult staff at your institution.