Average fee falls just 0.5% in tuition fee shake-up
2 December 2011
Student bursaries and scholarships have been slashed by almost £14m as 25 universities and colleges have today had applications to reduce their tuition fees accepted.
Although fees will fall at a fifth of English universities for the 2012 academic year, the overall average fee fell by just £39 (0.46% - from £8,393 to £8,354). Students who started full-time courses in England this year were charged a maximum fee of £3,375.
UCU said the changes added further confusion for students at a time when applications have slumped by 13%. Students who had already applied for university in 2012 only have until 15 January to decide if they are still happy with their choices or if they could pursue a cheaper alternative.
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'In the main universities that have cut their fees have also had to slash the bursaries they can offer potential students. So while students may be attracted to a cheaper course they will probably receive less financial support when they are at university.
'The fact that students who have already applied have just a month to make such important decisions exposes the utter shambles of the government's higher education policy. We now have a staggering situation where people have to work out if they can afford to study certain courses, rather than follow their dreams.'
UCU said the changes added further confusion for students at a time when applications have slumped by 13%. Students who had already applied for university in 2012 only have until 15 January to decide if they are still happy with their choices or if they could pursue a cheaper alternative.
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'In the main universities that have cut their fees have also had to slash the bursaries they can offer potential students. So while students may be attracted to a cheaper course they will probably receive less financial support when they are at university.
'The fact that students who have already applied have just a month to make such important decisions exposes the utter shambles of the government's higher education policy. We now have a staggering situation where people have to work out if they can afford to study certain courses, rather than follow their dreams.'
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