10 February 2005

DRAFT HIGHER EDUCATION (NORTHERN IRELAND) ORDER 2005

The Department for Employment and Learning today announced that the Draft Higher Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 was laid at Westminster on 8 February 2005. Subject to the passage of the legislation, it is anticipated that provisions in the Order will come into effect in September 2006.

Specifically, the provisions in the Order are aimed at:

• Requiring providers of higher education courses, charging variable fees above the basic rate, to have a plan (access agreement) approved by the Department for Employment and Learning, and to abide by that plan;

• Establishing an independent panel, to consider appeals by institutions whose plans are not approved;

• Introducing a requirement, that student support organisations share information;

• Allowing students taking a gap year in 2005/06, to pay fees at the rate that would have been in place had they started their course in 2005.

The Draft Order is accompanied by an Explanatory Memorandum, which sets out and explains the Draft Order’s provisions.

Copies of the Explanatory Memorandum and the Draft Order are available in electronic form at www.delni.gov.uk

Further information can be provided by:

Angela McAllister
Department for Employment and Learning
Higher Education Legislation
39-49 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8FD
email:angela.mcallister@delni.gov.uk
telephone: 028 9025 7685

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on Tel:028 9025 7790.

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