Students put off by top-rate university fees
YOUNG people fear they could be priced out of higher education after the University Of Hull was given permission to charge the top rate of £9,000.
The Office For Fair Access (OFFA) confirmed the university in Cottingham Road would be allowed to charge £9,000 in tuition fees from next year.
The go-ahead comes after OFFA said it was satisfied with measures the university had put in place to make sure students from underprivileged backgrounds were not disadvantaged.
Every university that wanted to charge more than £6,000 in fees had to have proposals for recruiting poorer students approved by OFFA.
But students said the fees were creating a class divide.
Tara Downing, 16, a student at St Mary's College, said: "The tuition fee hike is ridiculous, almost disgusting.
"It categorises poorer people, creating a social divide
"I now know I will not go to university in England.
"It's ironic because I want to study English Literature, but now I think I will have to go to a university in Amsterdam or Hungary. I cannot believe that studying abroad is a cheaper option."
Eve Winter, 16, also a student at St Mary's College said: "I am definitely put off applying for university now because it is such a large amount of money.
"I think I would be better off to seek out an apprenticeship rather than applying to university as it is a much cheaper option."
The University Of Hull was one of 123 whose access agreements were approved by the Government yesterday.
In Hull, the package to help disadvantaged students includes "substantial financial support", which will be made available through fee waivers, scholarships and bursaries.
However, the detail and numbers of students likely to be offered bursaries and scholarships is still being worked out by senior officials.
As part of its access agreement, the university has put aside £4.7 million to offer help to disadvantaged students next year.
This will rise to £5.5 million in 2015.
The access agreement will be reviewed on a yearly basis by the Government.
If the university fails to meet targets on recruitment and retention of underprivileged students, it could face a fine or losing the right to charge more than £6,000.
Now, colleges are making it their priority to ensure students are aware of the financial help available.
David Cooper, vice-principal at Wilberforce College, in east Hull, said: "A lot of the bursaries are shrouded in administrative jargon, so the students do not understand the funds that are available.
"We tried to ensure the students understand the repayment scheme and do not feel scared by the big sums of money.
"Our main focus is that the students make an informed decision."
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6 Comments
by sarah_sarah
Wednesday, July 13 2011, 5:13PM
“Brantinghmbill- would UK students not be expected to pay upfront for overseas education with no loans available? I think that's the problem.”
by BrantingmBill
Wednesday, July 13 2011, 5:07PM
“I am a Study Abroad Consultant based in Kingston Upon Hull and even after the adverse publicity regarding UK tuition fees, it remains surprising how few UK students will actually venture abroad to study. Yet, it is a fact that better opportunities and better value exist overseas but not only that Students can sample a better life style too. Sure, it takes some time to settle at first but in parts of Canada for example, the study and living costs combined can be less than the UK fees alone. Add to that a strong chance of on campus employment and a great life style combined with University's steeped in tradition, what is it British Students are waiting for ? I would recommend home over abroad every time.”
by anon112010
Wednesday, July 13 2011, 2:31PM
“I saw a programme on tuition fees and a guy on there had gone to uni in Amsterdam, it was ridiculous what he was getting for his money as, not only are their unis cheap, but their country is as well. He has a top floor flat in the centre of their capital kitted out with all the latest furnishings and gadgets (ha, that phrase makes me sound old, I'm only 23!) and he is paying £5 less a month than I am for a run-down 1 bed flat in Hull. I think Holland is a real choice for people like Tara Downing, getting a good education with 3 years abroad thrown in, and I'm sure those cafes are a great place to study!”
by Exoskeletion
Wednesday, July 13 2011, 9:51AM
“Maybe this will put off the people who decide to go to Uni despite the fact they don't know what they want to do as a career. Many of my friends have degrees in Irrelevant Tosh, and unnecessary debt.”
by rob37n
Wednesday, July 13 2011, 9:42AM
“How much does it cost to administer this nightmare compared to the old scheme of grants from the local authority? Someone somewhere is making a killing on this. It's not the students as they are saddled with a ridiculous amount of debt before starting work. It's not the parents who do their best to help out as much as they can. It's not the Universities as they still seem to struggle for money even when they will be able to charge £9000 a year. Someone somewhere is making a massive amount of money from these student loans I suspect.”
by David_Nivea
Wednesday, July 13 2011, 9:15AM
“Class divide? How? Why? Don't they understand how it works? Students pay nothing up front, and loans are to be repaid at 9% of any earnings over £21K. So, someone earning £25K would repay 9% of £4K per year, which is £6.92 a week. Not bad, eh? People earning under the threshold pay nothing, and any amount outstanding is written off after 25 years.
Tara Downing, 16: "It categorises poorer people, creating a social divide." You've just categorised some people as 'poorer' Tara, whilst trotting out a meaningless aphorism . Hahaha. Perhaps university will not be for you.”