Tuition fee rises in 2017/18

[shovetheholly]

www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/osborne-signals-rise-9k-fee-cap-tef

Seeing a lot of discussion about people deferring, and very little about this! It is very possible that the government will remove the £9k cap and raise tuition fees for the academic year after next - all indications seem to be that this is quite likely to happen. So just a heads up that this is a risk that's worth considering for those thinking about their options

[spinoa]

But the fees are going to rise with inflation, so the fee difference for deferring one year is unlikely to be significant. (Unlike the jump from 3k to 9k in 2012!)

In real terms the fees are actually decreasing year on year at the moment.

[shovetheholly]

Yes - it's a really unclear picture at the moment, which really isn't helpful. There are definite moves to get increases with inflation, with some Russell Group unis arguing for more. One issue will be whether any increase is covered by the loans. Another is what inflation might be in 2017 - it's currently really low!

[shovetheholly]

(Sorry, not meaning to panic anyone about this! I don't think uni will suddenly become massively more unaffordable than it currently is. Just wanted to make it clear that there is a bit of uncertainty as it could be a factor).

[shovetheholly]

Oh, ignore me, I'm being a batty crazy lady with no brain. The rises are 2017/18, so not this year and not next year.

I've forgotten the date before, but never managed to lose an entire year before today!!

[spinoa]

Prior to the budget there was considerable discussion about whether the fee rises would be larger for top institutions.

However, Osborn's budget statement did explicitly say that fee increases would be in line with inflation

www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/osborne-signals-rise-9k-fee-cap-tef

and moreover would depend on the results of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). (I think it is unrealistic that the latter will be available as soon as 2017/2018.)

In briefings to universities it was made clear that the increase in fees would be covered by increase to loans but I cannot find this in news articles.

[spinoa]

Sorry, I am linking back the same article as in OP but you can read the transcript of the budget statement to see this confirmed further.