Help, huge fee increase for MSc...!

[applecharlotte]

I was offered a place on an Msc last Nov, to start this coming Sept. The fees for 2013/4 were £6,600 I allowed for a max of 5% increase for next year as thought that was realistic when budgeting.

Last night I was looking at the course spec online and noticed the fees have been changed with the new 2014/5 fees. The course is now £8,820!!!

That's a 33% increase! I've not had any notification from the uni and now have 4 months to find an extra £2,220...I can't find this money without getting into more debt.

Anyone got any advice on how to approach this with the uni? I can't contest it can I? I'm really disappointed.

I would write to admissions and say this will make it very difficult for you to take up the place and ask whether they have any bursaries or fee discounts for early applicants. It will depend very much what kind of course and how popular it is but if they are worried about losing applicants they may offer you something. It doesn't hurt to ask politely. If you met any tutors during the application process I would also email them and ask if there is any help with fees under the circumstances.

Thanks - using the early applicant angle is a good idea.

I emailed the course leader last night who I think I have quite a good rapport with as have been chatting about reading lists etc. to ask if this increase is correct. I've also emailed the post grad fee department to ask about fee scholarships, I think they offer 50% off fee scholarships.

No idea if I would qualify, I have two 2:1 degrees, one linked the other not and some experience in a similar field but no actual experience of what I will be training in.

I will wait and see what they reply. Shouldn't they have let me know formally? I'm just venting really. I've worked really hard to get myself in a position where financially, this course was doable and justifiable. I'm just shocked.

Thanks for listening