Tuition fees in Northern Ireland set to rise

Northern Ireland will increase tuition fees at its universities, while Welsh students will avoid paying more for university education. 

The Welsh Assembly announced last month that they would not be falling in line with Westminster’s proposals and would instead meet the cost of higher fees for Welsh students studying at any UK institution, effectively freezing tuition fees at £3,290.

English students studying at Welsh institutions will pay the increased fees of up to £9,000. 

The Northern Ireland Assembly is yet to vote on tuition fees but an independent report commissioned by the Ulster Unionist Party recommended that Northern Ireland follow the Welsh example, and the government are under intense pressure to do so.

However, Danny Kennedy, Minister for Employment and Learning, has claimed that Northern Ireland cannot afford to peg tuition fees at current rates. This is because Wales takes in more students than it sends out, while there are only 200 students from other parts of the UK studying at Northern Irish institutions. 

Replying to an assembly question, Mr Kennedy said: “Unfortunately, this essential fact and its impact on the financing of the Welsh proposal means that it is not really a feasible option for Northern Ireland.” 

Speaking to The Journal, Ciarnan Helferty, President of NUS in Northern Ireland, said: “Let’s be very clear on this issue: the position Minister Kennedy has reached on fees is a political one for which there will be political consequence come the Assembly elections in May. It’s a position he reached with no public debate, consultation or discussion.

“Students are clear that they will not accept any further increase. Parents are clear that they cannot afford any further increase. Public opinion is clear in saying that they don't want a further increase.

"The Minster can choose to remain on the wrong side of public opinion if he wishes: but if he does I doubt he will remain a Minister very much longer. 

“Devolution is about local politicians finding local solutions to local problems… [Mr Kennedy’s] ‘Northern Ireland solution’ looks remarkably like the English one – a system which guarantees students and their families nothing but increasing levels of debt.” 

In a recent Green Paper published by the SNP, the government promised that tuition fees would not be introduced for Scottish students. Fees will be raised for English students studying at Scottish institutions but the details of university funding won’t be finalised until after the upcoming election.