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MSE News: University fees could rocket after funding review

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

"Students could be forced to pay thousands of pounds more, with the prospect institutions could charge £12,000 a year ..."
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Comments

  • farso
    farso Posts: 204 Forumite
    Worrying news for students. All the articles I have read have looked at the way it will change lives for prospective students, does anyone know what will change to the current students? Will our fees increase for next year? Will our repayments for student loans be affected? (Despite of our current agreement for the loan)

    It would be good to know what these plans mean if they come into law.

    Many thanks
  • neas
    neas Posts: 3,801 Forumite
    As an ex studetn with approx 12k student loan on graduation this seems horrible. I believe it is unfair that students get saddles with this debt... yet when they start to earn the big bucks from this HUGE risk that they have to shoulder.... they have to pay more tax than rest of country.... and their student loan repayments...

    SOunds like a double whammy to me
  • Dylanwing
    Dylanwing Posts: 2,015 Forumite
    What it means-
    The rich kids will still go to Uni.
    The poor kids won't.
    A lot of bright kids won't want to go and be saddled with debt.
    The UK will miss out on a lot of intellectual capital.
    A lot of graduates will move overseas to avoid taxes and repayments.
    A lot of graduates will be saddled with far too much debt creating problems with loans/ mortgages.
    Owning property will be restricted to the rich.
    Once loans are 30 years old, the Government will have a huge problem with unpaid student debt.
    So in brief, an absolutely ludicrous plan, bad for the majority, bad for the UK, but at least the rich can keep the top jobs for themselves, without having to compete with a far more intelligent oik.
  • Lokolo
    Lokolo Posts: 20,861 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    I don't think it would stop the poor from going to uni, as the loans (and assumingly grants) would still be available. I just think it would slow the number of graduates.
  • sarahs999
    sarahs999 Posts: 3,751 Forumite
    It will also mean that the less vocational courses die a death. Education should be about learning for learning's sake, not just to set you up for a particular career. I studied philosophy at uni and it is a hugely important and valuable discipline, but as it doesn't lead automatically to a job I would have never chosen to do it if I thought I would have to pay off £36,000 at the end, as I don't come from a rich family. Nor am interested in a high-paying job (I work in the media!) so I would be saddled paying off the debt for the rest of my life.

    So incredibly sad to think our children won't have the same choices. Education should be the backbone of a country.
  • worried_jim
    worried_jim Posts: 11,631 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Maybe rather than going to university to study sports psychology or media they could go to a technical college and train as a plumber then we wouldn't need to import 1000's of Polish workers because the UK workforce was qualified and fit for task. If we have to start importing sports psychologists form Poland in the future I'll change my opinion.
  • malc_b
    malc_b Posts: 1,087 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    Dylanwing wrote: »
    A lot of graduates will move overseas to avoid taxes and repayments.

    On the current system they chase you if you move aboard so I don't think a new system would have such a loop hole. Of course, what the rules are and what happens in practice might be 2 different animals but I know the get pretty shirty straight off the bat and SLC have more powers than HMRC.
  • pig_let_cool
    pig_let_cool Posts: 1,127 Forumite
    Maybe rather than going to university to study sports psychology or media they could go to a technical college and train as a plumber then we wouldn't need to import 1000's of Polish workers because the UK workforce was qualified and fit for task. If we have to start importing sports psychologists form Poland in the future I'll change my opinion.

    So instead of doing what you want to do we should all give up and work as plumbers just because the country needs it?!

    Can i ask what you do? doubting your just working as a plumber.




    I as the first response said, would like to know where current students stand on this, and when this is likely to take effect etc whilst it is terrible for prospective students im much more concerned with my own immediate financial future....
    :jThe Money Saving Wannabe :j
  • I've also been looking to see when any changes will come into affect as I have 3 DSs, the eldest going to Uni in 2011, then the next in 2013 and finally the youngest in 2015, but can find nothing setting a date. All my children will need university degrees for their chosen occupations, so there is no avoiding it. It would also be handy to know what is happening in Scotland, where students do not currently repay tuition fees, but AFAIK this isn't even at the discussion stage yet!
  • olly300
    olly300 Posts: 14,738 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Maybe rather than going to university to study sports psychology or media they could go to a technical college and train as a plumber then we wouldn't need to import 1000's of Polish workers because the UK workforce was qualified and fit for task. If we have to start importing sports psychologists form Poland in the future I'll change my opinion.

    What technical colleges?

    Also there are times when courses like plumbing are full. Why? Because of the number of adults who had office jobs retraining.
    I'm not cynical I'm realistic :p

    (If a link I give opens pop ups I won't know I don't use windows)
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