Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of different levels of tuition fees by subject on university finances; and if he will make a statement.

The government sets a maximum tuition fee cap for the amount chargeable by higher education institutions funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. It is for individual institutions to set fee levels within the cap. The majority of universities charge the maximum possible fees for at least some of their courses.

The review of post-18 education and funding will seek to ensure that the system incentivises choice and competition across the sector and is supported by a funding system that provides value for money for students and taxpayers. Any proposal must maintain the financial sustainability of our world-class higher education and research sector.

The government has appointed an external panel, comprising experts from across post-18 education and the business world. The panel will consider the available evidence, engage with stakeholders, and make assessments to provide advice to inform the review. The panel will publish a report at an interim stage, before the overall review concludes in early 2019. We cannot prejudge the outcome of the review.