University fees about to increase

[Onemorestepintheworld]

An announcement is expected today. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0qdgndz5wzt Any bets? I reckon £12k pa

I’d be very surprised if they can legally increase fees for students that have already entered contracts with a university ie already started.

The maintenance loan is the bigger issue, IMO, it has absolutely not kept up with the rising cost of living. And then when that rises along with the rise in tuition fees, we can debate the value of higher education. I am on the fence about it all too, very complicated in terms of which degrees/ experiences are worth it.

How quickly we forget Keir Starmer saying he wanted to abolish tuition fees ! Wonder if he will suffer in the way the Lib Dem's did back in the days of the coalition

Seems there are a lot of tax rises, the reduction of winter fuel allowance and now a tuition fee increase which didn't make it into the "fully costed" manifesto. And the OBR now saying there's no £22 bn black hole ! What other surprises are in store for us 🤣

Well £12 k pa is nearer the actual cost, but the whole of Middle England would descend on Westminster if universities could charge what it actually costs.

Meanwhile universities will go on, running on the goodwill and unpaid overtime of their staff.

We should go back to only 15% of sixth formers going as in my day and have fewer universities.

@Xenia provide them with decent alternatives in order to continue to educate themselves and progress and I'm sure alot of kids and parents would prefer this.

Reading the DfE announcement it reads as if both new and existing students will pay the increased fee.

”Maximum tuition fees for the undergraduate students starting or continuing full-time and part-time courses at approved providers in the 2025 to 2026 academic year will be increased to 3.1%”. The bold is my emphasis.

I’d have thought the same (and morally, if not legally) but the government website seems to say that’s what's coming

I’ve already started my course – will these changes affect me?
From the 2025/26 academic year the new maximum tuition fee and maintenance loan rates will apply to new students and those who are continuing their studies.

Please can you explain what because I always wonder? I can guess at preparing lectures and marking essays and exams. Obviously all the overheads of running the university. Anything else?

I wonder if that because it's an inflation increase, which should have been happening every year but had been frozen rather than an actual change?

And I readily admit my over-confident assertion from earlier in the thread was wholly incorrect about existing students.

Hmm. Just reading DDs offer letter and contract and can’t see where it says they reserve the right to increase fees once started.

So most unis should have a breakdown of how they spend fees, but yes, staff costs, libraries, accommodation, research, sports facilities, etc etc
Bristol https://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/support/finances/tuition-fees/how-your-fees-are-spent/
Exeter https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/wheredomyfeesgo/#:~:text=Access%20to%20your%20academic%20tutor,including%20timetabling%20and%20other%20processes
Manchester Met
https://www.mmu.ac.uk/student-life/finance/how-are-your-fees-spent#:~:text=Your%20university%20fees%20contribute%20to,welcoming%20is%20a%20key%20priority.

No, don't go apologising. What you do is look dead ahead and pretend that you always had it right and then fail to hear any words to the contrary 😁

Does anyone know what Rachel Reeves point two was about reform? I wasn't sure what she was getting at. Did she say when they'd tell us?

Maintenance loans do need to increase as they don't cover the living costs of students.

IMO students should be able to afford university on a loan without their parents having to pay costs. I've come across sad stories of students who can't go to uni because their stepfather/ man who lives with their Mum won't pay.

@dinnermoneyready thank you!

It would make a big difference if they just reversed the changes made to international student visas.

At least they are being consistent, with making education more elitist across the board… 🙄

Sorry I'm reading backwards. So are the university fees increasing?

I know you’ve already had an answer to this but in addition to what’s been mentioned, student support services - disability support, mental health support, pastoral support, access to support with abuse / violence etc, student complaints, computer systems to coordinate support, international student support, support for carers / care leavers / neurodivergent students, safeguarding, emergency funding for students, the cost of arranging placements, healthcare, security, catering, cleaners, accommodation, bills, furniture etc etc etc

And the cost of everything has gone up while the cost of a degree has stayed the same.

Yes for new students starting in autumn 2025 - increasing by 3%.

However - fees for classroom based foundation years DECREASING by £4k a year from next autumn.

University's are struggling financially it seems but I agree any fee increase should be matchd by a rise in maintenance loans to help students survive.

Bloody disgraceful. As for student loan interest rates.. ludicrous.

It has been - by another £400. Again though not enough.

What's the thinking behind decreasing the foundation years. (I've no opinion on it, just curious why). Thanks