Explanatory note

These Regulations amend legislation which makes provision about, or in connection with, student finance. Those Regulations being amended are the Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 “the 2009 Regulations”, and the Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 “the Repayment Regulations”.

These Regulations come into force on 29 May 2026, unless otherwise specified.

Regulations 3 to 5 amend the Repayment Regulations to update references to HMRC, correct a typographical error and bring student loan repayments made through the self-assessment system provided for in Part 3 of those Regulations into scope of the penalties established by sections 116 and 117 of, and Schedules 25 and 26 to, the Finance Act 2021 (c. 26).

Regulation 6 amends the 2009 Regulations to increase the Master’s etc. fee loan from £6,500 to £10,000 for courses beginning on or after 1st August 2026.