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Education

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Original poster

anyone's dc decided not to go to uni because of the fee increase?

73 replies

brimfull · 30/03/2011 16:44

dd lucky and going in sept after her gap yr so misses the fee increase

must be gutting to the kids in yr 12 now and of course all younger ones

just interested in how it has changed peoples plans

OP posts:
haggis01 · 30/03/2011 17:35

My DD really wanted a gap year as she is unsure of her course choice but wil probably go in October to Uni if she gets in (with her results) because of the fee rise.

Strange at open days - Welsh and Scotch parents kept saying how sorry they felt for us (english) as they will get free fees . This unfairness based on where you live really hacks me off - a £27,000 fee debt(since most unis are going to charge 9K_ is a huge disadvantge in life , just because of living in England.

I have 3 other DC all heading to A levels in the next few years and will not be able to help them much moneywise and will have to think hard about their future given the uni cost. paradoxically - I work, self employed and low income and would actually be better off atm if unemployed and may have to do this as qualifying for free school meals may be the way to get help with the uni fees and the replacement for ema - so much for tories boast that no family would be better off on the dole than working!

Original poster
brimfull · 30/03/2011 18:16

god the divide between england and wales and scotland can't possible continue can it??

OP posts:
Georgelassosthemoon · 30/03/2011 19:11

It's not free in Wales (unfortunately for us as we live there and DD is hoping to go to a Welsh Uni). Welsh Universities can charge up to £3375 a year from 2011. DD will be taking out a Tuition Fee Loan.

Original poster
brimfull · 30/03/2011 20:12

yy sorry meannt cheaper in wales than england

OP posts:
IloveJudgeJudy · 31/03/2011 14:04

My DS is in Y11 and DD in Y9. DS is talking about not going to uni (but I'm worried that he'll decide to take a career that needs a degree) or doing a degree abroad as quite a few universities in the EU are doing whole degree courses in English.

DD talking about going into the Navy to get a degree. haven't looked into it that much yet, but will be soon. Navy came to a careers day and obviously made an impression on quite a few DC.

TalkinPeace2 · 31/03/2011 14:11

Why would they.
Its not a cheque you have to write up front.
Its a tax you pay when your earnings rise above a limit after graduation.

Original poster
brimfull · 31/03/2011 17:00

Still a cost though whichever way you describe it.

OP posts:
saggarmakersbottomknocker · 31/03/2011 22:00

dd is in year 12 and it's definitely a hot topic here.

I'm pretty pissed off about it if truth be told.

MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay · 31/03/2011 22:09

I have one in her 1st year at Uni and one in yr 12... planning to go, and I'm dreading it. Even though the loans are long term debt it's still debt, and for the majority of degrees there are no guaranteed jobs at the end of it.. soul destroying.
From a parental view point it's not just the loan which the children have to face, actually supporting them thro uni at the most basic level is a huge cost.. my DD! has the cheapest room available at her halls and it's still £88 a week.. her maintenance loan JUST covers it so we have to send food money.. SHe is very responsible , very thrifty and despite doing a very full time course (medicine) she has managed to get a few hours work.. but to participate in uni life at ALL (eg sport, bus fares etc) they do need more.

I am encouraging DD2 to think about vocational degrees (nursing and allied professions) simply because at least then she will get some help.

I REALLY pisses me off that if we could move back to Wales where they were born, they would have so much less debt..and of course the 'extras' ..DD1 has to fork out for prescription fees etc too... the system is utterly unfair to those in england:(

inkyfingers · 01/04/2011 12:10

My DS in year 12 isn't sure anyway, so won't push towards uni unless he really wants it. But what options are there post-18 if you don't go? Are there many apprenticeships that actually lead to good jobs? we've spent so many years pushing 18 year olds into uni that no one's invested in the alternatives - ie if you don't go to college, you're applying to McDonalds. I know the armed forces are good route but wouldn't appeal to my son.

expatinscotland · 01/04/2011 12:18

Explore university attendance abroad. With cost of living difference, it might be cheaper.

IloveJudgeJudy · 01/04/2011 14:42

Those of you who are saying that you only pay it back once you earn above a certain level, do you realise that the amount you owe is taken off whatever mortgage you might try and get. That will make a big difference, too. Also, who would want to live their lives with a £40,000 debt hanging over their head (other than a mortgage).

iskra · 01/04/2011 14:49

ILoveJudgeJudy, do you mean if you want to borrow 80,000 but have 30,000 student debt, you will only be able to borrow 50,000?

titchy · 01/04/2011 14:52

No - most mortgage companies reduce the amount you can borrow by however much your existing debt REPAYMENTS are, not the amount of the whole debt.

so if your £40000 debt costs you £3000 a year in repayments, the mortgage you get will be reduced by £3000, not £40000

haggis01 · 01/04/2011 15:45

Wish we all lived in Scotland - land of the free!

inkyfingers · 01/04/2011 16:02

Any idea how Scotland and Wales assemblies manage to pay for their students? Have they got banks that didn't bu the economy?

haggis01 · 01/04/2011 16:32

Not quite sure but they get more funding per person than the English from central government and can choose how to spend it - some posters on another similar thread have said that waiting times for surgery etc are longer than in England or other services such as recycling have suffered.

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 01/04/2011 16:34

Do Scottish and Welsh students get free/reduced fees if they cross the border and come to English Unis - or is it just if they go to their "home" univeristies?

expatinscotland · 01/04/2011 16:34

'Not quite sure but they get more funding per person than the English from central government'

No they don't. In fact, their funds from Westminster have been cut and they are not allowed full powers to raise taxes for themselves as part of devolution.

They have a lower population and choose how to spend what they are allocated differently.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Original poster
brimfull · 01/04/2011 16:55

I am hoping by the time ds is ready to go in 10yrs he'll have the opportunity to do an apprenticeship ...one can live in hope Smile

OP posts:
haggis01 · 01/04/2011 17:16

I think Scotland and wales and NI do get more funding per person under the Barnett Formula- the last published figures from HM Treasury (April 2010) public expenditure which gave figures for 2008/9 as:
Northern Ireland £10127 per person
Scotland £9412
Wales £9209
England £7960
based on the formula of Wales £113 (falling to £112 in 2010), NI £124, Scotland £120 for every £100 of expenditure in England.

IndigoBell · 01/04/2011 17:51

This is not a debt in the normal sense of the word. Mortgages lenders won't take it into account - because the govt can't recall the debt.

It really is just a 'graduate tax'. Later on when you have a good job your take home pay will be slightly reduced.

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 01/04/2011 18:19

No offence to you personally IndigoBell but I don't get this - it's not a debt marlarky. You owe money, you have to pay it back (albeit within certain criteria) so it's a debt.

expatinscotland · 01/04/2011 18:25

Now what does that look like after the budget cuts, haggis?

IndigoBell · 01/04/2011 18:41

It's not a debt because you dont have to pay it back under loads of circumstances and because mortgage lenders can't take it into account.
Nor can it be recalled and you forced to pay it off early. It rally is no diff to tax. As you earn the gov takes a slice.