Friday 15 January 2021
Students from the Bailiwick of Guernsey attending universities and other higher education providers in England will be guaranteed to pay home fees going forwards, following a decision by the UK Government.
While the vast majority of universities currently charge Bailiwick students the same fees as UK students, previous UK legislation relating to English providers meant that a few institutions have charged Crown Dependencies' students international fees. The difference between home and international fees may add thousands or tens of thousands of pounds to the cost of a university place.
UK Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP, has confirmed that the UK Government will amend Regulations to ensure that from 1 August 2021 students from the Crown Dependencies will be treated the same as UK students with regard to home fee status at universities in England.
Education is a devolved matter so this change will only cover universities and other higher education providers in England. Further work will take place to discuss this matter with the Devolved Administrations.
Deputy Peter Ferbrache, President of the Policy & Resources Committee, said:
"This news is extremely welcome and will provide certainty for Bailiwick students who want to attend higher education courses in England. Bailiwick students will be able to access English universities on the same fees basis as their UK counterparts. The close working relationships that Guernsey's government has developed with the UK over recent years have enabled us to discuss this issue with the UK's Department for Education and secure this important decision for our students, recognising the importance of the Bailiwick's links with the UK and our place within the British family."
Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen, President of the Committee forEducation, Sport & Culture, said:
"Our Committee is delighted with this change, which addresses an issue that I know has been of concern to many students and their families for some time now. On average there are about 800 students from the Bailiwick who go to universities and other higher education providers in the UK each year. I'm pleased the UK Government has recognised the value our students bring. This decision will provide welcome certainty to our young people that they will be treated the same as their UK counterparts, as far as fees are concerned, when attending university in England."
