Postgraduate Students Will Have Access to Significantly Higher
Tuition Fee Loans of up to £10,000, Economy Minister Dr Has Announced.
At Present Postgraduate Students from the North Can Access a
Maximum Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan of £6,500. From 2026/27,
This Will Rise by 54% to £10,000, Ensuring That More Students Are
Able to Cover the Cost of Their Tuition Fees.
The Minister Said: Despite the Financial Pressures My
Department Is Under I'm Determined to Keep Education As
Affordable As Possible. To That End My Department Has Kept
Student Fees at Half the Level of Britain and Previously
Increased Student Maintenance Loans by 20%. Today I Am Announcing
a 54% Increase in Loans for Postgraduate Students. This Will
Enable More Students to Undertake Postgraduate Study and Gain the
Higher-level Skills That Are Vital for the Growth and
Productivity of Our Economy.”
Ben Friel, President of Nus-usi, Said: Making Higher Education
More Accessible and Affordable Can Only Ever Be a Positive, for
Students, for Universities and for Northern Ireland. Today's
Announcement Will Be Welcome Relief to Many Students Who Strive
to Pursue Professions Which Require a Postgraduate Degree but May
Have Been Fearful Due to Experiencing the Financial Pressures of
Completing Their Undergraduate Course.
Finance Should Never Be a Barrier to Those Who Are Ambitious and
Capable of Furthering Their Education No Matter the Level of
Study. As More Students Are Able to Access Postgraduate Courses,
It Is Also Important That They Are Supported with the Cost of
Living While Studying.
We Look Forward to Engaging with the Department During the
Upcoming Higher Education Funding Review to Ensure Students Have
the Support They Need to Succeed.”
The Changes Follow a Recent Public Consultation.
Notes to Editors:
- The Public Consultation Documents Are Available on the
Department's Website Www.Economy-ni.Gov.Uk/news/minister-proposes-increase-postgraduate-tuition-fees-loans
- According to Hesa Data There Are Around K Postgraduate
Taught) Students from Northern Ireland Studying at Uk
Universities Each Year.
- The Next Review of Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans Will Be
Carried out in Three Years.
- The Average Postgraduate Course Costs £7,900.
- A 20% Increase in Maximum Student Maintenance Loans Was
Delivered for the 2025/26 Academic Year.
