Kirsty Williams AM, Cabinet Secretary for Education
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
I have today published a report summarising the responses to a consultation on the provision of financial support for students on courses of higher education with a foundation year (Support for foundation years, WG28123). The consultation outlined a number of concerns with this provision. I have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to make any changes to student support arrangements for these courses at this time.
The responses to the consultation highlighted some positive and successful features of this provision. However, that is not to say that responses demonstrated that the concerns expressed in the consultation have been proved groundless – they have not. I therefore intend to:
- monitor the number of students being supported on these courses
- monitor the rate of progression to the first year of undergraduate study
- initiate research and evaluation as necessary, potentially including a study of value for money.
consultations.gov.wales/consultations/support-foundation-years