What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of limiting post-compulsory funding to loans as opposed to grants on potential PGCE students and the number of future teachers?
Whilst we have taken the decision that grants currently available to post-graduate Masters students will be replaced fully by repayable student loans for new students undertaking postgraduate Master’s study from academic year 2024/25, this change does not apply to those students wishing to undertake a postgraduate certificate in education.
Eligible post-graduate initial teacher education (ITE) students can apply for the same maximum level of support as ITE undergraduate students. Welsh students can apply for maximum maintenance support equivalent to the National Living wage while they study at postgraduate level. Disabled Students’ Grants for postgraduate students are also available.