Written statement on Higher Education Student Finance

Maximum tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year in England will be maintained at the levels that apply in the 2020/21 academic year, the fourth year in succession that fees have been frozen. This means that the maximum level of tuition fees for a standard full-time undergraduate course will remain at £9,250 for the 2021/22 academic year.

Maximum undergraduate loans for living costs will be increased by forecast inflation (3.1%) in 2021/22. And the same increase will apply to maximum grants for students with child or adult dependants who are attending full-time undergraduate courses in 2021/22.

We are also increasing support for students undertaking postgraduate courses in 2021/22. Maximum loans for students starting master’s degree and doctoral degree courses from 1 August 2021 onwards will be increased by forecast inflation (3.1%) in 2021/22.

I am also announcing today changes to Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) that will increase flexibility for students to access the support that they need. The undergraduate DSA, which is currently structured as four separate sub-allowances, will be simplified into one allowance in line with the postgraduate DSA.

The same maximum allowance (£25,000) will apply to both full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate DSA recipients in 2021/22. This will apply for both new and continuing students. An exception for travel costs will be made to this maximum cap, which means that travel costs will in effect continue to be uncapped.

I am announcing today that individuals who have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain as a bereaved partner, and resident in the United Kingdom and Islands since the grant of such leave, will not be required to demonstrate three years’ ordinary residence in the United Kingdom and Islands before the start of a course to qualify for student support and home fee status in relation to new higher education courses from 1 August 2021 onwards.

I am also announcing today that individuals in protection based categories (those with Humanitarian Protection Leave, Calais Leave, Section 67 Leave and Stateless Leave) starting or continuing higher education courses in 2021/22 will no longer be required to demonstrate three years’ ordinary residence in the United Kingdom and Islands before the start of a course to qualify for student support and home fee status.

Further details of the student support package for 2021/22 are set out in the attached document.

I expect to lay regulations implementing changes to student finance for undergraduates and postgraduates for 2021/22 later in 2020. These regulations will be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny.