25 March 2015 
Jen Summerton, Executive Director
A consultation in support of postgraduate study, published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, has asked whether postgraduate research loans should be restricted to certain subject areas in which the “scientific and economic case is strongest”.
According to an article in the Times Higher Education: “The consultation looks at the proposed £10,000 loans for postgraduate taught students and £25,000 loans for postgraduate research students announced by George Osborne, the chancellor.” The paper also asks whether loans for postgraduate taught students could create “excessive course fee inflation”.
In his forward to the consultation, Greg Clark, the universities and science minister, says that the proposals “represent a huge breakthrough for students, universities and the country” and that postgraduate study is important for employers and the economy, as well as the individuals themselves, it reports.
The consultation is said to focus more on postgraduate taught courses, but on postgraduate research does state that the government will “review how we can both broaden and strengthen support for postgraduate research students and excellent postgraduate research.” To read the article in full please see the Times Higher Education website.
