2023 No. 633 (W. 97)
Education, Wales

The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2023

Made
Laid before Senedd Cymru
Coming into force
The Welsh Ministers make the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred upon the Secretary of State by sections 1 and 2 of the Education (Fees and Awards) Act 19831 and sections 22(1)(a), 22(2)(a) and 42(6) of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 19982, and now exercisable by them3 and powers conferred on them under sections 5(5)(b) and 55(2) of the Higher Education (Wales) Act 20154.

PART 1Title and coming into force

Title and coming into force1.

(1)

The title of these Regulations is the Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2023.

(2)

These Regulations come into force on 6 July 2023.

PART 2Amendments to the Education (Fees and Awards) (Wales) Regulations 2007

CHAPTER 1Introduction

2.

The Education (Fees and Awards) (Wales) Regulations 20075 are amended in accordance with this Part.

CHAPTER 2Amendments to the definitions of “overseas territories” and “specified British overseas territories”

3.

In regulation 2(1)—

(a)

in the definition of “overseas territories”—

(i)

omit “British Virgin Islands;”;

(ii)

for “St Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island and Tristan de Cunha)” substitute “St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha”;

(iii)

after “Turks and Caicos Islands” insert “; Virgin Islands;”;

(b)

in the definition of “specified British overseas territories”—

(i)

omit “British Virgin Islands;”;

(ii)

for “St Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha)” substitute “St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha”;

(iii)

for “and Turks and Caicos Islands” substitute “Turks and Caicos Islands; and Virgin Islands”.

CHAPTER 3Amendments to the definition of “person granted leave to enter or remain as a protected person”

4.

In the Schedule, in paragraph 1, in the definition of “person granted leave to enter or remain as a protected person”—

(a)

for paragraph (e) substitute—

“(e)

indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom under paragraph 276BA2 of the immigration rules or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom under paragraph 276BS2 of the immigration rules;”;

(b)

after paragraph (e) insert—

“(ea)

leave to enter or indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom under paragraph 276BJ2 or 276BO2 of the immigration rules or paragraph ARAP 16.1 of Appendix Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy of the immigration rules;

(eb)

indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom under paragraph ARAP 6.1 of Appendix Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy of the immigration rules or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom under paragraph ARAP 6.2 of that Appendix of the immigration rules;”.

PART 3Amendments to the Higher Education (Qualifying Courses, Qualifying Persons and Supplementary Provision) (Wales) Regulations 2015

CHAPTER 1Introduction

5.

The Higher Education (Qualifying Courses, Qualifying Persons and Supplementary Provision) (Wales) Regulations 20156 are amended in accordance with this Part.

CHAPTER 2Amendments to the definitions of “overseas territories” and “specified British overseas territories”

6.

In the Schedule, in paragraph 1(1)—

(a)

in the definition of “overseas territories”—

(i)

omit “British Virgin Islands;”;

(ii)

for “St Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island and Tristan de Cunha)” substitute “St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha”;

(iii)

after “Turks and Caicos Islands” insert “; Virgin Islands; ”;

(b)

in the definition of “specified British overseas territories”—

(i)

omit “British Virgin Islands;”;

(ii)

for “St Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha)” substitute “St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha”;

(iii)

for “and Turks and Caicos Islands” substitute “Turks and Caicos Islands; and Virgin Islands”.

CHAPTER 3Amendments to the definition of “person granted leave to enter or remain as a protected person”

7.

In the Schedule, in paragraph 1(1), in the definition of “person granted leave to enter or remain as a protected person”—

(a)

for paragraph (e) substitute—

“(e)

indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom under paragraph 276BA2 of the immigration rules or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom under paragraph 276BS2 of the immigration rules;”;

(b)

after paragraph (e) insert—

“(ea)

leave to enter or indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom under paragraph 276BJ2 or 276BO2 of the immigration rules or paragraph ARAP 16.1 of Appendix Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy of the immigration rules;

(eb)

indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom under paragraph ARAP 6.1 of Appendix Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy of the immigration rules or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom under paragraph ARAP 6.2 of that Appendix of the immigration rules;”.

PART 4Amendments to the Education (Student Support) (Wales) Regulations 2017

CHAPTER 1Introduction

8.

The Education (Student Support) (Wales) Regulations 20177 are amended in accordance with this Part.

CHAPTER 2Amendments to early termination of eligibility provisions

9.

In regulation 4, after paragraph (11) insert—

“(11A)

Paragraphs (9), (9A), (9B), (10), (10A), (10B), (10C), (10D), (10E) or (10F) do not apply where, as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support starts—

(a)

A; or

(b)

the person who, as a result of their immigration status, caused A to be an eligible student or a qualifying student,

is a British or Irish citizen.”.

10.

In regulation 81, after paragraph (10F) insert—

“(10G)

Paragraphs (9), (9A), (9B), (10), (10A), (10B), (10C), (10D), (10E) or (10F) do not apply where, as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins—

(a)

A; or

(b)

the person who, as a result of their immigration status, caused A to be an eligible part-time student,

is a British or Irish citizen.”.

11.

In regulation 110, after paragraph (12F) insert—

“(12G)

Paragraphs (11), (11A), (11B), (12), (12A), (12B), (12C), (12D), (12E) or (12F) do not apply where, as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins—

(a)

A; or

(b)

the person who, as a result of their immigration status, caused A to be an eligible postgraduate student,

is a British or Irish citizen.”.

PART 5Amendments to the Education (Student Support) (Wales) Regulations 2018

CHAPTER 1Introduction

12.

The Education (Student Support) (Wales) Regulations 20188 are amended in accordance with this Part.

CHAPTER 2Amendments to the definitions of “overseas territories” and “specified British overseas territories”

13.

In Schedule 2, in paragraph 11(1)—

(a)

in the definition of “overseas territories”—

(i)

omit “British Virgin Islands,”;

(ii)

for “St Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha)” substitute “St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha”;

(iii)

after “Turks and Caicos Islands,” insert “Virgin Islands,”;

(b)

in the definition of “specified British overseas territories”—

(i)

omit “British Virgin Islands,”;

(ii)

for “St Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha)” substitute “St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha”;

(iii)

for “and Turks and Caicos Islands” substitute “Turks and Caicos Islands, and Virgin Islands”.

CHAPTER 3Amendments to the definition of “person with leave to enter or remain as a relevant Afghan citizen”

14.

In Schedule 2, in paragraph 2ZA(4), in paragraph (ea)—

(a)

for sub-paragraph (i) substitute—

“(i)

indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom under paragraph 276BA2 of the immigration rules or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom under paragraph 276BS2 of the immigration rules,”;

(b)

after sub-paragraph (i) insert—

“(ia)

leave to enter or indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom under paragraph 276BJ2 or 276BO2 of the immigration rules or paragraph ARAP 16.1 of Appendix Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy of the immigration rules,

(ib)

indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom under paragraph ARAP 6.1 of Appendix Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy of the immigration rules or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom under paragraph ARAP 6.2 of that Appendix of the immigration rules,”.

CHAPTER 4Amendments to early termination of eligibility provisions

15.

After regulation 23G insert—

“23H.

Regulations 22, 22A, 23, 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, 23E, 23F or 23G do not apply where as at the end of the day before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support—

(a)

P, or

(b)

the person who, as a result of their immigration status, caused P to be an eligible student,

is a British or Irish citizen.”.

16.

In Schedule 4, after paragraph 13G insert—

“13H.

Paragraphs 12, 12A, 13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13F or 13G do not apply where, as at the end of the day before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support—

(a)

P, or

(b)

the person who, as a result of their immigration status, caused P to be an eligible postgraduate student,

is a British or Irish citizen.”.

PART 6Amendments to the Education (Postgraduate Doctoral Degree Loans) (Wales) Regulations 2018

CHAPTER 1Introduction

17.

The Education (Postgraduate Doctoral Degree Loans) (Wales) Regulations 20189 are amended in accordance with this Part.

CHAPTER 2Amendments to the definitions of “overseas territories” and “specified British overseas territories”

18.

In Schedule 1, in paragraph 1(1)—

(a)

in the definition of “overseas territories”—

(i)

omit “British Virgin Islands;”;

(ii)

for “St Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha)” substitute “St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha”;

(iii)

after “Turks and Caicos Islands;” insert “Virgin Islands;”;

(b)

in the definition of “specified British overseas territories”—

(i)

omit “British Virgin Islands;”;

(ii)

for “St Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha)” substitute “St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha”;

(iii)

for “and Turks and Caicos Islands” substitute “Turks and Caicos Islands; and Virgin Islands”.

CHAPTER 3Amendments to the definition of “person with leave to enter or remain as a relevant Afghan citizen”

19.

In regulation 2(1), in the definition of “person with leave to enter or remain as a relevant Afghan citizen”—

(a)

for paragraph (a) substitute—

“(a)

indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom under paragraph 276BA2 of the immigration rules or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom under paragraph 276BS2 of the immigration rules;”;

(b)

after paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa)

leave to enter or indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom under paragraph 276BJ2 or 276BO2 of the immigration rules or paragraph ARAP 16.1 of Appendix Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy of the immigration rules;

(ab)

indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom under paragraph ARAP 6.1 of Appendix Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy of the immigration rules or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom under paragraph ARAP 6.2 of that Appendix of the immigration rules;”.

PART 7Amendments to the Education (Student Support) (Postgraduate Master’s Degrees) (Wales) Regulations 2019

CHAPTER 1Introduction

20.

The Education (Student Support) (Postgraduate Master’s Degrees) (Wales) Regulations 201910 are amended in accordance with this Part.

CHAPTER 2Amendments to the definitions of “overseas territories” and “specified British overseas territories”

21.

In Schedule 2, in paragraph 13(1)—

(a)

in the definition of “overseas territories”—

(i)

omit “British Virgin Islands,”;

(ii)

for “St Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha)” substitute “St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha”;

(iii)

after “Turks and Caicos Islands,” insert “Virgin Islands,”;

(b)

in the definition of “specified British overseas territories”—

(i)

omit “British Virgin Islands,”;

(ii)

for “St Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha)” substitute “St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha”;

(iii)

for “and Turks and Caicos Islands” substitute “Turks and Caicos Islands, and Virgin Islands”.

CHAPTER 3Amendments to the definition of “person with leave to enter or remain as a relevant Afghan citizen”

22.

In Schedule 2, in paragraph 2A(4)(da)—

(a)

for sub-paragraph (i) substitute—

“(i)

indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom under paragraph 276BA2 of the immigration rules or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom under paragraph 276BS2 of the immigration rules,”;

(b)

after sub-paragraph (i) insert—

“(ia)

leave to enter or indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom under paragraph 276BJ2 or 276BO2 of the immigration rules or paragraph ARAP 16.1 of Appendix Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy of the immigration rules,

(ib)

indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom under paragraph ARAP 6.1 of Appendix Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy of the immigration rules or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom under paragraph ARAP 6.2 of that Appendix of the immigration rules,”.

Jeremy Miles
Minister for Education and Welsh language, one of the Welsh Ministers
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend various Regulations which make provision about, and in connection with, student finance.

Amendments are made—

(a)

to the name that certain British overseas territories are now known by to be consistent with the British Nationality Act 1981, and

(b)

that relate to the immigration status of certain Afghan citizens as a result of changes made to the immigration rules.

Amendments are also made to the Education (Student Support) (Wales) Regulations 2017 and the Education (Student Support) (Wales) Regulations 2018 to disapply early termination of eligibility for certain categories of eligible students in circumstances where a person has become a British or Irish citizen.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations. A copy can be obtained from the Higher Education Division, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.