Minister for the Economy, Caoimhe Archibald MLA, has ruled out any increase in tuition fees for university students in Northern Ireland.
Ulster University, Queen’s University and the Open University had warned that if the cap for local students of £4,750 was not changed, then they may have to cut places for local students. International students and those from England, Scotland and Wales pay substantially higher fees compared to students from Northern Ireland that study here.
The Sinn Fein MLA for East Londonderry has written to the Executive asking for higher education to be prioritised in the June monitoring round.
“I have written to Executive colleagues to ask for Higher Education to be prioritised in the upcoming June Monitoring Round, I will not hike fees for students,” she said.
“In their letter to the five main parties, the Universities and University Colleges have highlighted the need for additional finance. I am committed to supporting our higher education institutions as they continue to play a critical role in producing world class talent, as well as providing R&D support to our growing sectors.”
“I am asking my Executive colleagues for their support and the necessary resources to do so,” she added.
Ms Archibald told reporters at Stormont that there are two ways to provide additional funding for the universities, either by increasing student fees above the usual level of inflation or by finding more public funding.
“I am clear that the current funding model does not work for universities and it does not work for students.”
“While I recognise the challenges facing universities, I am not prepared to raise fees above the usual level of inflation and push that additional pressure onto students,” she said.
The cap on student fees only applies to students from Northern Ireland who are studying in Northern Ireland; if they choose to study in England, Scotland or Wales, then they have to pay £9,250.
North Belfast DUP MLA Philip Brett has criticised the Economy Minister’s handling of the situation.
“The Minister has been aware of the pressures facing higher education since she took office. She was also made aware in March of other significant threats to university programmes and the impact that could have on City Deals, but has waited until today before doing anything.
“We should not ignore that this is the former Finance Minister asking the current Finance Minister for this funding. A little over twelve months ago Caoimhe Archibald told other Ministers “there is no escaping that the money we have can’t keep up with demand”. She more than anyone should know the competing demands for Monitoring Round allocations and how that cannot provide a long-term solution.
“The DUP have always been clear that we need a solution that works for students, for higher education institutions and in the best interests of Northern Ireland. That can only be delivered through proper dialogue with Ministers but also with the universities themselves. It requires a strategic approach and something much better than a last-minute request for stopgap funding to avert a crisis she has been aware of for many months now,” he added.
