Uni fees government review

[Happydaughterhappymum]

Does anyone know when the government review of uni fees and student finance will be published?
I was just wondering whether there is any chance students starting this September might benefit from the proposals (assuming they are positive!)

Dd thought it was delayed until May.

Won't be published till summer. Not likely to affect anyone till 2021/2 at the earliest.

The report is one thing, a government accepting proposals is something quite different. The report thinking so far appears to want to establish better value for money for students but that might lead to obvious two tier degrees in terms of cost.

It is being delayed by Brexit

So if someone starts uni this year and between now and Sept 2020 course fees are dropped will people in their second year at uni benefit or will they say bad luck, you pay the higher amount which you agreed when you started? Anyone any idea?

So if someone starts uni this year and between now and Sept 2020 course fees are dropped will people in their second year at uni benefit or will they say bad luck, you pay the higher amount which you agreed when you started? Anyone any idea?

Good question. The correct answer is nobody knows. When £9k fees were introduced they were applied to the cohort that started in 2012. Those lucky enough to have started in 2011 did not find their 2nd year fees increasing. However the increase from £9k to £9,250 was applied to all cohorts - largely though as institutions had indicated in their terms and conditions that a fees increase in line with Gov. maximum could be charged to all.

My money would be on any decrease being applied at cohort level, so only on those that started. Those already studying will be stuck with higher fees. However IF a fees reduction is legislated for (and it is an if - Brexit, general election are all hurdles) universities will see a massive drop in those applying to start the previous year which will affect institutional behaviour as they vie for a smaller pool of applicants. Promising a reduction in subsequent years fees could be one way of competing.

Or reducing the pay back terms of the loans. The size of the loan isn’t the only thing that can be altered. I don’t think fees reductions will be every course either. It will follow a value for money theme. Some courses are brilliant value for money and actually cost double the fees. Others are less good value and student outcomes are less good. Some will be promoted for 2 years of study at a reduced amount when compared to 3 years.

Some will be promoted for 2 years of study at a reduced amount when compared to 3 years.

That model already exists. Very unpopular with students and universities alike!

Or reducing the pay back terms of the loans. The size of the loan isn’t the only thing that can be altered. I don’t think fees reductions will be every course either.

Oh there'll be lots to unpick from Augar apart from fees!

Mmm- it doesn't sound as though DD should get her hopes up for anything but £9250 fees and an eyewatering interest rate for her course then.
Thanks for your updates. I don't see why Brexit should delay things for UK students though? Unless they're all too busy to look at this?

I hope they reduce the interest rate so there's a chance of her paying it off, even if they don't reduce the fees. Then the universities still get their money but the students aren't ripped off with extortionate interest payments.

Unless they're all too busy to look at this?

Exactly that. Not much time in the parliamentary schedule for anything these days.

I hope they reduce the interest rate so there's a chance of her paying it off,

Does it matter? Her monthly payments will be the same regardless.

@nicoandtheniners if the university decides to drop fees then they will pay the lower rate most likely. These things are usually reviewed annually. My fees have risen £1.5k from first year to second year for example.

I was just wondering whether there is any chance students starting this September might benefit from the proposals (assuming they are positive!)

So you think that a "positive" proposal will be a reduction in fees?

You do know that the current fees don't actually cover the real cost of a degree, any degree? And that the cost of degrees is subsidised mostly by university staff working hundreds of hours of unpaid overtime? And increasing casualisation of teaching staff?

Oh well, you get what you pay for. Or rather, your children will get what you're not prepared to pay for.