Tuition fee rises for continuing students?

Charsuibun

Sorry if this has already been mentioned in a previous thread, I did have a look and couldn't see anything along this line.

Basically I started my university course in September 2012, and am continuing on to my second year on the same course. The fees for my uni were £7,800 yet now they've upped them to £8,050 which depending on who I talk to applies to continuing students too.

Are universities allowed to do this? I think the thing frustrating me more is there was no communication before from the university to say 'by the way, fees are going up £250', it was a case of reapplying for student finance and seeing the tuition fees had changed.

Everything I see online states: 'Fees for new students starting their course in 2013/14 are...' Nothing says that applies for continuing students. I've contacted the student finance department at the university twice now, the first time I was informed it was a Student Finance England fault, and the second time I got an email to the effect of 'soz for any confusion, yeah the fees are higher now'.

This is just another thing in a very long list that's putting me off going back to that particular university.

devildog

I think that Universities increasing fees year on year for continuing students is perfectly normal and most do it and the tuition fee loan from Student Finance for the fees increases accordingly.
Eg My eldest's fees year 1 £3225, year2 £3290, year 3 (much less-year abroad) and I don't have figures to hand for this year but no doubt it will have increased again. Obviously these figures aren't as high as the increase you have had but an increase never the less.
I think that they never bother to inform students because most of them get a Student Finance loan to cover it(not that excuses them)

Derivative

They are increases in line with inflation.

£7800 to £8050 is a 3.2% increase.

RPI stands at around 3% at the minute.

Charsuibun

Thanks, I tried googling it before but no one seemed to be able to give a simple answer like you guys!

Just a bit peeved now the woman I spoke to originally gave me the wrong answer...

Helix

Did you make it clear what fees you are paying now? If were on the old £~3000 fee then it would be a mistake if it went up to £8000 this year.