MSE News: Student tuition fees could treble by 2012

angelofmel

jrawle wrote: »

I'd rather the means testing was on what the graduate earns, not on what their parents earned before they started university.

how is that even possible?! how can you give someone money based on something that may or may not happen in the future and that is based on so many uncertain things within the person and the job market?

pippa93

I'll be one of the unlucky ones (hopefully) going to uni in 2012.
It's rather annoying that they've announced this now, after I've chosen to continue my education in the 6th form and chosen my subjects. It would be difficult to change this now.
I'm happy with my subjects, but I think if people were considering degrees that have a more risky graduate employment situation they may want to reconsider going at all due to this, and this might have affected whether they joined the 6th form or not.
I don't know whether to be pleased that the higher fees mean that no-one who gets a place in 2011 will defer, or at least lots fewer, or not.

I also disagree with grants for tuition fees if this is going to be the system. If no-one has to pay upfront, and only based on the income they have after graduation, then there should be no grants, as those who have parents on lower income will not need to pay upfront and so have no need to be supplemented by this.

mum2many

bluenose1 wrote: »

I am in a similar position, the good news is that it appears it will only be for new entrants after 2012 so they should pay the reduced fee, that is also what happened the last time the fees were increased. The bad news for me is I have two younger children who will be paying the increase if they go to Uni.

I went to a Uni Open Day the other week and we were advised they are expecting bumper no of applicants. The Pharmacy degree that my son is hoping to do is already massively oversubscribed.

I've got 3 younger ones too so quite a scary time for them in the future

Oldernotwiser

pippa93 wrote: »

I also disagree with grants for tuition fees if this is going to be the system. If no-one has to pay upfront, and only based on the income they have after graduation, then there should be no grants, as those who have parents on lower income will not need to pay upfront and so have no need to be supplemented by this.

There aren't any grants for tuition fees.

BernardM

BLT wrote: »

As an aside perhaps degrees in politics should be priced at 3 times the standard rates if the intelligence of the ministers is anything to go by.

'This increase in fees offers a real opportunity for universities' - How the hell can it offer a real opportunity if people can't afford to attend.

My favourite line however was that the government faces opposition from Student Unions. What are they going to do, go a on pot strike for a week, or refuse to frequent the local pubs thereby impacting on the local economy. I doubt the government is going to crumble because the University students withhold their labour.

Maybe they should take a leaf from someone's book.
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/97261

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caeFkjjkhnU&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f8pjJ-25Vw&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

jrawle

angelofmel wrote: »

how is that even possible?! how can you give someone money based on something that may or may not happen in the future and that is based on so many uncertain things within the person and the job market?

With the proposed system. People who do well when they graduate will pay back the full cost of their tuition and living expenses. Anyone who takes lower-paid work, whether by necessity or choice, will not have to pay back the full cost. OK, so it isn't means testing in the literal sense, but those who earn more will pay more.

The_One_Who

Unless I am mistaken, that is pretty much how the current system works. Except obviously your loan will be accruing interest every year.

waterhouse_melons

I'm a current student, starting from this year's september. All I thought about when I heard this news was the £9000 a year, not the effects of it like you said in your article. I do see that students need to have a more efficient systsem, but this isnt the way to go about it.
My course is a 3 year course, with one year extra being used for a years job placement (4 years in all). What happens to me?
Martin, there must be something you can do to stop this madness, a MSE petition? TV articles?

Lokolo

waterhouse_melons wrote: »

I'm a current student, starting from this year's september. All I thought about when I heard this news was the £9000 a year, not the effects of it like you said in your article. I do see that students need to have a more efficient systsem, but this isnt the way to go about it.
My course is a 3 year course, with one year extra being used for a years job placement (4 years in all). What happens to me?
Martin, there must be something you can do to stop this madness, a MSE petition? TV articles?

Existing students won't be effected.

BLT_2

crystaltipps wrote: »

Just because you don't want a degree or are not motivated or clever enough for a degree does not mean you don't avail yourself of the services of people with degree level education on a regular basis.

If you need a health professional, they have a degree. If you have children that go to school, their teachers have a degree. If you eat and drink out, or buy food from the supermarket, then someone with a degree is in charge of making sure the premises are of an acceptable standard to produce the food without killing you. If you avail yourself of the latest drugs and treatments on the market, then someone with a degree has done the research and trials to get them there. If you need financial advice, anyone reputable has got a degree...same with solicitors and legal advisers. I could drone on but I am sure you get the jist.

I have two daughters, aged 12 and 14 and they will almost certainly be priced out of the chance to get one, and therefore provide themselves with a career and possibly society a service yet they are both more than clever enough and ambitious enough to get a degree and a career.

Just because YOU don't want one, doesn't mean others who do should be denied the opportunity through financial constraints.

And one final aside - most people with degrees earn more....so they pay more taxes and national insurance. As well as the loans that are now an obligation.

They wages at Burger King have gone up? What do you say to a Law Student with a second class degree - "Burger and Chips Please" :rotfl: