Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language – in the Senedd at 2:44 pm on 6 October 2021.
I thank the Member of that question. As in all parts of the UK—. Each part of the UK has a regime through which education providers are qualified for support through the respective arrangements in each of the four nations, and the fact that one institution may qualify in one of the nations doesn't automatically mean that they satisfy the criteria in each of the four nations. They would need to submit applications for recognition in any nation where funding is sought. As the Member, I know, is aware, HEFCW is responsible for much of the process in relation to these questions. There is a need at the moment for alternative providers to apply for specific designation of their courses in order for Welsh students to be able to access student support. That is obviously in place in order to protect the public purse, but also to protect the interests of students, so that we are able to ensure that the providers are able to meet the relevant criteria in the interests of students themselves. Where any individual Welsh student is concerned about the status of a course in which they may have an interest, the first step, I would recommend, is to contact the course provider to check the student support that will be available before taking up that place. That will be the point at which any potential questions then can be raised.