Poll says ‘no’ to Gove and £9,000 tuition fees
A survey of 100 prospective university students for Birmingham Budget Cuts confirmed their anger, frustration and discontent at the government's handling of university education.
82% voted against a lifting of the cap on tuition fees, with 3 ‘unsure’ and 15 in agreement. Universities will be able to charge up to £9,000 per year from 2012 upon approval of the Office for Fair Access (Offa).
Second-year college students considering university entry in 2012 were asked if they believed that applicants would effectively shop around for the cheapest degree. 73% agreed and 27% disagreed.
Despite these high statistics, just over half – 51% – said this would deter them from studying for a degree. 43% voted ‘no’ and the remaining 6% were ‘unsure’.
Kirsty Juniper, a prospective journalist, said: “Universities will charge whatever the hell they like, regardless. It isn’t fair that Lincoln University will be charging as much as Cambridge.”
Ron Griffen, a political author, said: “Students don’t agree with higher fees but still want to study at university. In America, a graduate leaves university with debts of up to $100,000.
“We have to cut our deficit, and students aren’t immune. They have to make a contribution and you could say this is the government’s way of balancing responsibility. But then again, students didn’t cripple the economy, so should they be hit as a result of cutbacks? Yes and no.”
Undergraduates starting in 2012 will repay government loans once they are earning £21,000 or more. On comparison, students in Scotland pay no tuition fees.
A group of students from Phoenix Collegiate believe they are being forced to pay the price of the previous government’s recklessness and that a country’s deficit problem is being placed on their shoulders as they are seen as the vulnerable and ‘much easier targets than bankers’.
Concerns from prospective students come on the day it was announced that all universities are to charge at least £6,000, according to The Guardian.
Warwick and Aston have already declared they will be charging £9,000 with Wolverhampton, Stafford and Birmingham City expected to announce their decisions shortly.
In an FOI request to Professor David Eastwood, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham University, he replied that from 2012/13 they are ‘planning to introduce enhanced financial support for students from lower income backgrounds and increase outreach activities to promote fair access’.
“In the face of Government funding cuts, from 2012/13 we intend to charge full-time UK and EU entrants to our undergraduate courses a fee of £9,000 per annum – subject to approval by the Offa.”
Information from The Daily Mail suggests students face a £50,000 bill for a three-year degree from next year due to increased fees and the rising cost of living.
“Government cuts mean we’re paying for a deficit we didn’t cause, and times are harder. Poorer students are being hit hardest, university budgets are being cut and it seems like the government doesn’t want anyone to study anymore. It’s an outrage, ” said student Becky Smith.
Posted by Dean Hill
on 10:19 AM.
Filed under
I'm not surprised that so many people are annoyed by the increased fees. £6,000 is a massive increase for many people. From 2012, my course at uni will cost over £8,000 and I wouldn't be going to uni if that was my situation. Why should we have to pay for the previous governments mistakes?
I think that students just can’t pay more than they pay today. Price for college tuition hold stay the same, otherwise youth will just drown in debt! Attending and studying in college should be much more affordable than it is today. Lots of students don’t know what to do because they have to choose between their future career opportunities and getting in debt. Everything wouldn’t be so bad if all the graduates would have a chance to get employed and work on decent job. But unfortunately, many of young people use cash online to make payments on their loans and don’t know anything about their future.
To my mind, price for college is high and if government will increase college tuition than many students will lose opportunity to get education. When I was in college I had to work because my parents couldn’t help me with money. But with my small fee I couldn’t meet expenses. Once I spend almost all my salary on clothes so I had to check payday advance online reviews to make ends meet in the end of the month. This situation scared me and I decided that I have to be savvy and spend money wisely to avoid more serious financial problems in life.