Financial Support for Post Graduate Study

Summary

The requester asked for the rationale behind granting postgraduate financial support to students with degree classifications below 2:1, citing potential discrimination. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture responded that the information is not held and the request constitutes a question rather than a request for existing records.

Key Facts

• The authority stated it does not hold the specific information requested regarding the grounds for decisions.
• The request was characterized as a question requiring new work rather than a request for existing information.
• The response references ICO Decision Notice DN 2025-02 to justify the refusal.
• The requester cited a previous case from 2019 involving a disabled student who was refused support.
• The authority noted that less than 5 individuals with a 2.2 or lower classification received support since 2020 in a previous request.

Data Disclosed

• 2026-02-11
• 2026-03-10
• 5300321
• 5181521
• 2020
• 2019
• 2.2
• 2:1
• DN 2025-02
• Top 10

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held
• Request constitutes a question rather than a request for information

Original Request

In FOI request 5181521, it was noted that "less than 5" individuals whose undergraduate degree classification was a 2.2 or lower, had received financial support for tuition fees since 2020. While I appreciate further information about these individuals cannot be provided, I would like to know on what grounds the decision was made to provide them with financial support despite not holding a 2:1 or higher classification of undergraduate degree. In 2019, the Department of Education, Sport & Culture refused support to an individual with disabilities despite evidence the decision was disability discrimination and the student had evidence from the university that they were at a 2:1 level, hence why they had been offered a place as a postgraduate student. Further to this, it was a Top 10 acclaimed university, the credibility of which was apparent. Why was this individual declined support but others in an apparently same situation have been granted it? I would like definitive rationale as to why these students, despite being few, were given support when they did not meet the stringent, unbending and frankly discriminatory thresholds of only providing post graduate support with those with a 2:1 or higher, regardless of any extenuating circumstances.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

We write further to your request received 11 February 2026, which states:

"In FOI request 5181521, it was noted that "less than 5" individuals whose undergraduate degree classification was a 2.2 or lower, had received financial support for tuition fees since 2020.

While I appreciate further information about these individuals cannot be provided, I would like to know on what grounds the decision was made to provide them with financial support despite not holding a 2:1 or higher classification of undergraduate degree.

In 2019, the Department of Education, Sport & Culture refused support to an individual with disabilities despite evidence the decision was disability discrimination and the student had evidence from the university that they were at a 2:1 level, hence why they had been offered a place as a postgraduate student. Further to this, it was a Top 10 acclaimed university, the credibility of which was apparent.

Why was this individual declined support but others in an apparently same situation have been granted it?

I would like definitive rationale as to why these students, despite being few, were given support when they did not meet the stringent, unbending and frankly discriminatory thresholds of only providing post graduate support with those with a 2:1 or higher, regardless of any extenuating circumstances."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested.

Upon review of your request, it is more of a question, rather than a request for information. As per ICO Decision Notice DN 2025-02 “an applicant is entitled to information held by the Authority. It is not a mechanism for posing questions that would necessitate the Authority carrying out new work or taking actions to solely to formulate a response.”
The purpose of the FOI Act is that each information request should be for information that is both likely to be held by the Department, that promotes a public interest

Please quote the reference number 5300321 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.