Dodds launches Northern Ireland Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan Consultation

Northern Ireland Economy Minister Diane Dodds speaks to the media outside the Natural Hair Company, Lisburn, Northern Ireland, where hairdressers are able to resume trading with lockdown restrictions beginning to gradually ease. Picture date: Friday April 23, 2021.

The consultation seeks views on the current system of postgraduate support for Northern Ireland students undertaking taught postgraduate study, and discusses a number of options for potential reform.

Commenting on the consultation, the Minister said: “Higher education is a vital component of any modern economy as it plays a key role in supplying the skills, knowledge and experience required by the labour market.

“As the higher level skills and subject-specific knowledge demanded by the labour market becomes ever more acute, so must we ensure fair and equitable access to the support mechanisms which can encourage postgraduate study.

“I believe that doing more to support postgraduate provision can help to transform our economy and our society and I would encourage as many as possible with an interest in this important topic to make their views known.”

The Northern Ireland Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan Consultation opens on April 26, 2021 with the deadline for responses being June 25, 2021.

The consultation and related documents are available at www.economy-ni.gov.uk/consultations/review-northern-ireland-postgraduate-tuition-fee-loan