In the News Teaching Activity – why have university tuition fees been increased? (Nov 2024)

UK students will face higher costs for university next year as tuition fees increase to £9,535, breaking a fee freeze that’s held since 2017.

The UK government’s decision to raise tuition fees and increase maintenance loans signals an attempt to bolster university finances amid rising operational costs and inflationary pressures. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the fee hike as essential to stabilising the sector, but critics argue it burdens students with more debt without addressing systemic funding issues. The National Union of Students criticised the tuition fee increase as a "sticking plaster" solution, though it welcomed the rise in maintenance loans as meaningful relief for low-income students. Economists warn that even with these adjustments, the student debt burden may still deter prospective students and strain graduate finances long-term.

University tuition fees rising to £9,535 in England - BBC News

1. Why are university tuition fees being raised?

2. Why are tuition fees for university set below the equilibrium market price?

3. Discuss whether recent changes to tuition fees, such as this fee increase, changing the threshold for repayments and extending the repayment period from 30 to 40 years, will affect the number of student applications.