Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost of part-time courses in public third-level institutions; the average cost per institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40554/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Due to the differences between different types of part time courses, no meaningful average cost can be provided to the Deputy.

Part-time and flexible students can fall under a number of categories such part-time students on traditional on-campus full-time programmes, blended learning, evening/weekend on-campus students and remote students.

Part-time students can take a wide range of number of ECTS credits, and there is, therefore, no average cost of part-time courses available. The average cost of a full time undergraduate student is c. €9,000 - €10,000 per student per year.

Part-time students are included in the HEA’s funding allocation model on a pro-rata basis and receive the same subject group weighting as students on full-time courses. The funding model also recognises students on online or distance learning courses.

Part-time students do have to pay fees, which often vary in accordance with the number of ECTS credits taken.