Nothern Ireland 2015/16 - student fees and grants

National student fee

1st cycle full-time – fees are set by institutions but capped at GBP 3 805 for institutions with an access agreement outlining its provision of student support, including bursaries and outreach activities. Students are not required to pay up front and can apply for a loan to cover the full fee. Repayments are income-contingent and made at the rate of 9 per cent of income above the earning threshold of GBP 17 335.

The Student Loans Company (SLC) also funds Northern Irish-domiciled students to study elsewhere in the UK where they may have to pay up to GBP 9 000. The average amount paid by SLC per student in 2013/14 was GBP 3 930.

1st cycle part-time – fees are unregulated and loans are not available.

2nd cycle – fees are unregulated and vary widely. The ‘most common’ figure of GBP 4 052 represents the indicative fee level for research students in 2015/16, set by Research Councils UK.

1st and 2nd cycle international students – fees are unregulated.

Student grants

1st cycle full-time: the support package includes a need-based grant for living costs. The grant is awarded on a sliding scale with a full grant of GBP 3 475 for students with a household income of GBP 19 203 or less, with partial grants for students whose household income is up to GBP 41 065. In 2013/14, 60 % of applicants eligible for support (grant and/or loan) were awarded a grant: 38 % were awarded a full grant and 22 % were awarded a partial grant. All institutions must offer an additional bursary, whose amount varies, to students who receive the maximum grant for living costs or special support grant.

Loans

The support package also includes a loan for living costs for all students. The maximum loan is GBP 3 750 for students studying in Northern Ireland, GBP 6 780 for students studying in London, and GBP 4 840 for students studying elsewhere. The amount is reduced for students who receive a need based grant. Repayment as for tuition fee loans.

1st cycle part-time: the support package includes a need based grant towards payment of fees (though it is not intended to cover them completely). The grant is awarded on a sliding scale with a full grant of GBP 1 230 for students who are studying at 75 % or greater intensity and whose household income is GBP 16 842 or less, with partial grants for students whose household income is up to GBP 25 420. The course must be equivalent to at least 50 % of full-time study for a student to qualify for the fee grant.

2nd cycle – there is no universal support package.

2nd cycle postgraduate non-taught – individual institutions can provide a merit based grant, which tends to follow the minimum stipend recommended by Research Councils UK, GBP 14 057 for 2015/16.

Tax benefit for student's parents

Tax benefits for parents and family allowances do not play a role in the student support system.

Family allowances

Tax benefits for parents and family allowances do not play a role in the student support system.