I know the IQ remote is advertised as a 'learning remote' but not sure about the standard one. If you cant get an answer here, head over to
http://www.xpmediacentre.com.au/comm...w.austech.info 
Ive had a bit of a dig around for you but couldnt find anything...
totally understand the student poverty situation, been there done that!! (Im a physio myself)
but as a medical student, in 10 years time, you'll be up to your neck in the $$
(though may not have any actual time to play htpc lolz!)
actually, while im here >> i should mention that a standard mce remote($40) can control MCE, learn basic TV and learn a foxy remote if being used in conjunction with an analogue capture card
astro