(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Student Fees (Qualifying Courses and Persons) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007 No. 328, “the principal regulations”).
Following an independent review of higher education tuition fees and student finance and a subsequent public consultation, with effect from academic year 2012/2013 persons ordinarily resident in England, Wales, Scotland and the Islands beginning an eligible course of higher education at institutions in Northern Ireland will be excluded from the “qualifying persons” category for which higher education fee levels are capped.
Regulations 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 make consequential amendments to the principal regulations.
Regulation 7 amends the definition of “parent” in the Schedule to the principal regulations to remove the reference to “any person having care of a child”.
Regulation 10 provides transitional savings for persons ordinarily resident in England, Wales, Scotland and the Islands who started a qualifying course in Northern Ireland prior to the academic year 2012/2013 to continue their study at the capped fee levels.
A regulatory impact assessment has not been prepared in respect of this rule as it has no impact on the cost of business, charities or voluntary bodies.