Diamond reforms to student finance: evaluation plan 2024

Update on the progress of the evaluation of the Diamond Reforms June 2025

Research to support the evaluation of the Diamond Reforms to Higher Education student finance is underway. This research includes fieldwork with Year 13 learners, their parents and/or guardians, part-time and postgraduate students and Higher Education Provider (HEP) staff and Higher Education (HE) stakeholders.

The aim of the research is to provide evidence relating to the first three objectives of the reforms.

The objectives covered by this research

• Widening access to higher education.
• Strengthening part-time provision.
• Strengthening postgraduate provision.

This research project is focussed on these topics with a particular interest in the experiences of Welsh-domiciled learners and their understanding of student finances and views of HE.

The research objectives for this project:

• explore Welsh-domiciled Further Education (FE) and 6th form learners’ views of HE and awareness of the financial support package
• understand learner’s experiences of part-time provision
• understand the barriers for learners who wish to study part-time
• explore the financial and operational impacts of part-time provision for Welsh HEPs
• understand learner’s experiences of postgraduate provision
• understand the barriers for postgraduate learners who wish to study part-time
• explore the financial and operational impacts of postgraduate provision for Welsh HEPs
• understand how well the Welsh Government financial support package meets the needs of all Welsh-domiciled HE learners

A final report is expected to be published Spring 2026.

This evaluation plan sets out the intended approach to evaluating the Diamond Reforms to student finance in Wales.

The plan provides a framework for how we will gather and synthesise evidence to help us understand the impact of the changes implemented as a result of the Diamond Review in 2016.

The proposed research activities seek to evaluate the reforms whilst meeting evidence needs for Welsh Government objectives now and into the future.

Some aspects of the student finance arrangements in Wales have been amended since the time of writing this evaluation plan. These changes were announced on 4 December 2024: Written Statement: Financial support for higher education students in the 2025/26 academic year and tuition fee limits