Universities: Erasmus Programme

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean Excerpts

Tuesday 12th July 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

Certainly, I accept the value of foreign exchanges, and students on study years abroad—whether under Erasmus or not—pay only 15% of the tuition fee they would otherwise pay, and are eligible for an additional loan to cover this.

[Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean (Lab)]

My Lords, the Minister’s department will be keeping records of how many universities have already been in touch since the referendum vote expressing their concerns because they have already heard from partner universities under the Erasmus programme. Can she tell us how many universities have been in touch with her department to express their concerns about the future of their funding?

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

The noble Baroness is absolutely right: we are in regular contact with the universities. What they are also telling us is that they would welcome the higher education Bill that we are due to bring forward in order to provide a stable framework, and to ensure that our research base and our universities continue to be world class.