Student funding arrangements are different in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Higher Education Act 2004 gave the National Assembly for Wales powers to decide what levels of tuition fee and student support will apply in Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government began implementing these powers at the start of academic year 2006/07.
Since 2007/08 Welsh institutions have levied flexible fees payable by full-time home and EU undergraduate students up to a maximum amount (£3,375 for 2011 entry), subject to the requirement that each institution produce a five-year tuition fee plan approved by HEFCW. The tuition fee plans outline how institutions will earmark 30% of their additional income from flexible fees for widening access (through, for example, offering bursaries and scholarships) and for promoting higher education. All institutions in Wales have chosen to set their tuition fee level at the maximum allowable.
Students who normally live in Wales and study at a higher education institution in Wales are usually entitled to an Assembly Learning Grant, calculated on a sliding scale related to income, which is paid directly to the student’s place of study and does not have to be repaid.
From 2012 universities in Wales will be able to charge fees above £4,000 and up to £9,000, provided their fee plans are approved by HEFCW. Further guidance is given in Circular W11/14HE, HEFCW has announced its approval of the fee plans of 13 institutions. Welsh students will not have to pay more than £3,465, with the balance being met by the Welsh government.
The governing body of each institution approves the level of fees for home and EU postgraduates and part-time students. Some of these students are self-financing; others are funded by their employers or other organisations. In the case of postgraduates, some students are funded by central Government, primarily through studentships from the Research Councils. Fees for international students vary considerable among institutions and courses.
For more information see Student Finance Wales.