Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what comparative assessment he has made of the amount charged by each university to students for years on industrial placement; and what guidance his Department provides to universities on the level of such charging.

The Government encourages provision and uptake of sandwich courses and placements and acknowledges their benefits to students, businesses and universities.

A review of maximum fees for students undertaking sandwich placement years was carried out in 2012. Since 2014/15, the maximum fees that institutions with access agreements can charge for sandwich years has been set at £1,800, 20% of the maximum £9,000 full-time fee. Guidance for universities on maximum fees for sandwich work placement years is provided on the Student Finance England practitioners’ website.

Universities are independent, autonomous bodies and are free to set sandwich year fees at an appropriate level for their provision within this cap.