P-06-1403 Reconsider cuts to Postgraduate funding and increase Doctoral Loans to match UKRI Stipend
P-06-1403 Reconsider cuts to Postgraduate funding and increase Doctoral Loans to match UKRI Stipend
This
petition was submitted by Micaela Panes, having collected 2,026 signatures
online and 130 signatures on paper, making for a total of 2,156 signatures.
Text of Petition:
Postgraduates
play a pivotal role in advancing knowledge, innovation, and cultivating
expertise. However - the Welsh Government's Draft Budget 2024/25 announced the
removal of £12.8m from Postgraduate grants and bursaries. This will discourage
aspiring Postgraduate students due to increased financial burdens, jeopardise
the diversity of our academic programmes, hinder the competitiveness of our
institutions globally and have an impact on the growth of the Welsh economy and
communities.
Additional
Information:
This
petition also calls for the Welsh Government to increase Doctoral Loans to
match the annual UKRI Stipend. Doctoral students who receive a loan from
Student Finance Wales, receive £28,395 to cover tuition fees and living costs
overall for three to four years of full-time study (anyone who meets the
requirements can apply to these). Whereas those on a UKRI Stipend (only
available to students funded by a Research Council) receive £18,622 per annum
solely for living costs. This disparity leaves Doctoral Students on loans in
very precarious positions, with many working multiple jobs while in full-time
study, using food banks, and even leaving their Doctoral study. With the
current cost-of-living crisis, the decline in funding and studentships
available, and the pitiful rate of Doctoral loans, Wales runs the risk of a
substantial decline in students pursuing Doctoral study which will have a
serious impact on innovation and research.
Senedd Constituency and Region
- Cardiff
Central
- South
Wales Central
Further
information
- The Petitions Committee homepage
- View all open petitions
- View all petitions the committee is currently considering
- How the petitions system works
- Petition research briefs
Business type: Petition
Reason considered: Senedd Business;
Status: For consideration
First published: 29/02/2024