Unfees-able
As thousands of students nationwide took part in Sunday's annual NUS anti-fees demonstration this week, research into the proposals has shown further cause for concern.
In a survey of 1,018 year 10 students, Brighton University found that of the 53% of pupils who wanted to go to university, 85% would change their mind if they accumulated the government proposed £20,000 debt.
The Department for Education and Skills claimed that despite similar concerns about the introduction of tuition fees in 1998, student numbers have risen. Sir Alan Wilson, the newly appointed Director of Higher Education, says he would not support fees in excess of £3,000, stating he wants to maintain standards whilst widening access and addressing social exclusion.
The Association of Colleges spoke out in favour of fees, believing that they should not be fixed by individual universities. They suggest independent school students contribute the full cost of tuition, whilst poorer students should be fully exempt. They welcome the reintroduction of maintenance grants, although the proposed £1000 per year is less than what is currently available.
23rd Oct 2003