MSE News - Tuition fees furore: what exactly are the plans?

Lokolo

StressedOutSue wrote: »

I have always brought up my children (19, 17 and 15) not to have debt - 'neither a lender nor a borrower be'. How can this government justify encouraging our young people to take on such huge, huge debt for the rest of their lives? Does anybody know of any loopholes to try to minimise the debt apart from studying abroad? If they must study abroad in order to avoid paying these huge fees, could this be in France? All help appreciated - my eldest daughter is currently at university, but the other two will be affected by this.

The only difference between the system now and the new system is the amount for tuition, so not quite sure why you are worried.

The_One_Who

Sobraon wrote: »

I'm looking forward to an extensive MSE article on attending university overseas (and studying in English) to minimise costs. To paraphrase John Gilmore's view of censorship on the Net being treated as damage which users will route around, then people who want to go to university will "route around" the high English university fees by studying somewhere else.

The ConDems have forgotten that the free movement of citizens is a fundamental right in the EU and while the UK government (and it seems also the Scottish, Welsh and NI assemblies) appears to have entrenched anti English racist policies in law this tactic is not open to other administrations.

Or, students can look into studying in Scotland, as far as I am aware the fees charged to non-Scots will still be lower than the fees down south. That is something that few students seem to bother about. Yes, you do an extra year, but depending on the course and your grades you can sometimes skip into the second year.

I really doubt moving abroad is a viable option for many. How will students afford to live there? Having lessons in English is only one factor to consider. Students will still need to have a good grasp of the local language to be able to live there.

izzy

looked at this but medicine is taught in Dutch .....:(

WhiteHorse

StressedOutSue wrote: »

I have always brought up my children (19, 17 and 15) not to have debt - 'neither a lender nor a borrower be'. How can this government justify encouraging our young people to take on such huge, huge debt for the rest of their lives?

Good for you, but look at the still bigger picture. Should the nation be in such debt? Can the nation afford to run everything at a loss?

katydid

I have begun to wonder whether a boycott of English University courses could be organised.
It is certain that some students will study abroad where living costs as well as tuition fees are lower. This option will be open to those who have parents who are willing and able to pay up front.
Less well off students will undoubtedly be discouraged by higher fees. The only doubt in my mind is how many will vote with their feet?

katydid

On the subject of can we afford to educate our young people ... you will not convince me that we cannot afford to while we waste so much money on foreign wars. How much did the Iraq war cost? and how much is the war in Afganistan still costing?

Taiko

I'm sure it would work, until the students realise if they study abroad they get no support from the government here at all financially. The students will then protest in Brussels, at which point they'll realise our police are actually rather kind to them.

olly300

The_One_Who wrote: »

I really doubt moving abroad is a viable option for many. How will students afford to live there? Having lessons in English is only one factor to consider. Students will still need to have a good grasp of the local language to be able to live there.

If the University teaches courses in English then there will be a large number of English speakers around the students including those who also speak the native language.

I've worked aboard in countries where I definitely don't speak the language and have survived very well thank you, so language isn't a major issue.

In regards to living costs different EU countries have different ways of supporting students including those from other EU countries. It's up to the student to find out if that government will support them as I'm aware that some will do.

The_One_Who

katydid wrote: »

It is certain that some students will study abroad where living costs as well as tuition fees are lower. This option will be open to those who have parents who are willing and able to pay up front.

If they are willing and able to pay up front for their children to go abroad to live and study then chances are they will be able to pay for the costs of education in this country.

olly300 wrote: »

If the University teaches courses in English then there will be a large number of English speakers around the students including those who also speak the native language.

I've worked aboard in countries where I definitely don't speak the language and have survived very well thank you, so language isn't a major issue.

In regards to living costs different EU countries have different ways of supporting students including those from other EU countries. It's up to the student to find out if that government will support them as I'm aware that some will do.

Being able to live in a country (dealing with banks, utility companies, landlords, tax issues, etc) is always helpful. And being able to speak the language is a definite part of that, something that might not be easily picked up by everyone. Just because you have done it doesn't mean it can be done by everyone.

There is also the fact that for some subjects the UK is really the best option. Of course there are some good departments elsewhere, but with some the UK is leading the way.

Oldernotwiser

olly300 wrote: »

I've worked aboard in countries where I definitely don't speak the language and have survived very well thank you, so language isn't a major issue.
.

But did you do this at 18 when you left home for the first time?