The Higher Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2005

Content of plans N.I.

6.—(1) A plan under this Article relating to an institution must, in relation to each qualifying course in connection with which fees are to be payable to the institution by qualifying persons, specify or provide for the determination of a limit (not exceeding the higher amount) which those fees are not permitted to exceed.

(2) A plan under this Article—

(a) must also include such provisions relating to the promotion of equality of opportunity in connection with access to higher education as are required by regulations to be included in the plan, and

(b) may also include further provisions relating to the promotion of equality of opportunity in connection with access to higher education.

(3) In this Part any reference to the “general provisions” of a plan under this Article is a reference to the provisions included in the plan by virtue of paragraph (2).

(4) The general provisions that may be required by regulations made by virtue of paragraph (2) include, in particular, provisions—

(a) requiring the governing body to take, or secure the taking of, measures to attract applications from prospective students who are members of groups which, at the time when the plan is approved, are under-represented in higher education,

(b) requiring the governing body to provide, or secure the provision of, financial assistance to students,

(c) requiring the governing body to make available to students and prospective students information about financial assistance available to students from any source,

(d) setting out objectives relating to the promotion of equality of opportunity in connection with access to higher education,

(e) relating to the monitoring by the governing body of—

(i) its compliance with the provisions of the plan, and

(ii) its progress in achieving any objectives set out in the plan by virtue of sub-paragraph (d), and

(f) requiring the provision of information to the Department.

(5) Regulations made under paragraph (2) may not require a plan—

(a) to include among the general provisions of the plan any provision referring to particular courses or to the manner in which courses are taught, supervised or assessed, or

(b) to include any provision relating to the criteria for the admission of students.