Cambridge University Reporter


University Composition Fees: Notice

4 May 2009

Increase in fees for Home and EU postgraduate students in 2009-10 and for overseas students in 2010-11

The Council has agreed to propose a rate of increase of 2.7% on 2008-09 fees for home and EU postgraduate students for the academical year 2009-10; this reflects guidance offered by the Research Councils. Approval was given by Grace 3 of 12 March 2008 for fees for overseas students in 2009-10 to be increased by 4.5% which represented the increase in University costs. The Council has agreed to propose that, for the year 2010-11, fees for overseas students should be increased by 10% as a consequence of an expected sharp rise in University utility, pay, and pensions costs.

Fees for students commencing a course in 2009-10 or later years leading to a qualification which is equivalent to, or at a lower level than, a qualification they possessed when they began their course (ELQ students)

With some exceptions, from 2008-09 the University will no longer receive funding from HEFCE for students commencing a course leading to a qualification which is equivalent to, or at a lower level than, a qualification they possessed when they began their course. (Courses in Medical and Veterinary Sciences leading to the B.A. Degree, and courses in Architecture and for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education will continue to be subject to regulated fees.) The Council therefore proposes that, with exemptions for students following the courses referred to above, the fee for such students should be increased in 2009-10. For certain students who will be following a course in Theological and Religious Studies leading to the B.A. Degree or who will be following a course leading to the B.Th. Degree and who would otherwise be liable for this higher fee it is expected that the University will receive part funding through the Cambridge Theological Federation and part funding from HEFCE. The Council therefore proposes that, if the Federation agrees to this part-funding, the fee for such 'co-funded' students should remain the same as the home/EU undergraduate fee.

Fees for the M.B.A. course and for certain M.St. courses

The Council has also agreed to propose fees for 2009-10 for the M.B.A. course and certain M.St. courses which have been recommended by the relevant bodies.

Amendments to regulations

As a result of the introduction of the restrictions on students undertaking courses leading to a qualification which is equivalent to, or at a lower level than, a qualification they possessed when they began their course, the regulations for University Composition Fees require amendment. The regulations also need amendment to reflect the recent conversion of 'locally certified awards' to University awards: persons following these courses will not need to matriculate as members of the University and the regulations for University Composition Fees have been amended to clarify that such persons will not be entitled to attend other lectures or courses within the University without payment of an additional fee.

In recent years the number of distinct fee bands in the table attached to the regulations for University Composition Fees in the Statutes and Ordinances has multiplied and the presentation of such a table followed by a schedule for each course which shows the respective fee band has become complex and confusing. The Council, after consultation with the General Board, therefore proposes that the table should be rescinded and that the schedule, renamed as a table of fees, should show the actual annual fee for each course. Amendments to the regulations are needed to reflect this.

The Council is accordingly submitting a Grace to the Regent House (Grace 4, p. 712) for the approval of amendments to the regulations for University Composition Fees and the table of fees which result from the proposals in this Notice.