MS, Minister for Further and
Higher Education: The Welsh Government has a strong track record
in helping individuals invest in their future, and ensuring that
everyone, regardless of background, can learn throughout their
lives. My priority is to support more people to participate in
tertiary education, with a focus on developing the skills that
will be needed for the future of our economy.
The Welsh Government has long recognised that living costs should
not be a barrier to attending University and increases student
maintenance support each year. Support will increase again for
the 2026/27 academic year. I am particularly pleased that
maintenance grants will increase for the first time since 2018.
All eligible students will see their grant increase by 2.0% as
part of an overall uplift to maintenance support of 2.0%. This
increase, linked to the Consumer Price Index, ensures that the
Welsh Government continues to offer the most generous living cost
support in the UK for full-time undergraduates. All new and
returning full-time and part-time undergraduate students will
receive this increase. Support for postgraduate Master's and
doctoral study will also increase by 2.0%.
I am conscious of the financial challenges facing the higher
education sector in Wales and I am committed to supporting them
to manage this. Strong institutions are essential in delivering
our ambitions for education and research and for driving economic
growth.
The UK Government will increase the tuition fee which may be
charged in England in 2026/27 and in 2027/28. The Welsh
Government raised the tuition fee cap in 2024/25 and again in
2025/26 to match those in England. I am of the view that the same
increases to tuition fee caps announced by the UK Government are
appropriate for Wales – the period of financial pressure on the
sector in Wales is not over.
I propose to increase the fee cap to the same value that will be
applied in England for 2026/27, subject to the usual regulatory
process. This will apply to any eligible student studying in
Wales, not just Welsh students. The tuition fee loan available to
Welsh students will increase accordingly. I shall confirm the
exact amount of the increased tuition fee cap once there is
clarity on the position in England.
I recognise the importance of part-time higher education in
supporting the economy and creating a more diverse, experienced,
and skilled workforce. Part-time study has been a significant
success in Wales, with substantial increases in the numbers of
students. To ensure part-time study remains accessible and
sustainable, I am increasing the maximum part-time tuition fee
loan available by £250 for the 2026/27 academic year.
These changes support the sector at a difficult time in its
history. It marks the third consecutive annual increase in
full-time tuition fee caps, providing significant revenue to the
sector. I also made available an additional £38.5 million in
grants to Medr in 2024/25 to increase their support for further
and higher education in Wales.
I want to be clear that increases in tuition fees should not
deter anyone in Wales from applying to university. They do not
affect the upfront costs of university for students, nor do they
increase monthly loan repayments after graduation. Students
should speak to their higher education provider if they have
questions about fees.
This continued investment in the Welsh higher education sector
reflects the Welsh Government's commitment to support
institutions as they address rising costs while safeguarding
provision and the student experience. Higher education remains
key to the ambitions of this Government.
