Written question WQ83395

Welsh universities, like all universities in the UK, are autonomous bodies with responsibility for their own administrative and academic affairs. Tuition fees are a contractual matter between the university and student, and as such the Welsh Government is unable to intervene in these matters. If any student feels they are being unfairly treated, they should follow their university’s complaints procedure. Alternatively, students may wish to contact their university’s Students' Union for advice. Where a student is unsatisfied with the outcome of their complaint, they may wish to enquire with the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education who may be able to review their complaint.

The Welsh Government asked the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) to ensure that the standard and quality of education during the pandemic is not diminished and we have been clear that universities in Wales should ensure that no student is penalised unfairly at this difficult time and that all students, including international students, should be able to gain qualifications that are a fair reflection of their abilities, whilst maintaining quality and standards.

HEFCW has allocated an additional £50 million, provided by the Welsh Government, to universities in Wales. The funding helped respond to the impact of the pandemic, supporting a range of activities and measures to support students’ health and wellbeing and financial hardship. Universities are aware of their duty of care to, and have prioritised support for, vulnerable students, including international students during the pandemic.