Students hit out at cost of tuition fees
STUDENTS have reacted angrily to the news that tuition fees in Gloucestershire are set to rocket.
The Echo revealed yesterday that the University of Gloucestershire intends to charge £8,250 per year from 2012. It is less than the maximum of £9,000 proposed by the Government, but more than double the current fee of £3,290 a year.
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rise: Gloucestershire University's Park Campus
Jonathan Cook is a current third-year student at the university.
The 22-year-old, who is studying sports therapy, said he could not justify paying the increased figure. He said: "I am shocked and I am incredibly glad to finish this year.
"It costs so much now that I don't think I could justify paying more."
The University and College Union had previously estimated that the university would need to charge £6,842 in order to maintain current levels of income in the face of massive government cuts to teaching budgets.
Jonathan added: "I can't imagine people wanting to study in Gloucestershire if it's that expensive."
"It is not one of the top universities and I don't think people will want to go there and pay that amount of money."
Andrew Harris, chairman of Gloucestershire Association of Secondary Heads, said increasing fees were part of a "national picture" of changes.
He added: "The universities that have been funded for teaching are no longer receiving the same amount.
"I think it will have an effect on the amount of people who go to university in the future." Jessica Earp, Students' Union president for the University of Gloucestershire, said she was not surprised at the increase.
She said: "I hope the Office For Fair Access will ensure that financial support will exist for those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.
"It will be our future students that will be confronted with these fees."
Samantha McIntosh is a make-up artist living in Charlton Kings. The 31-year-old understands the pressures of paying for university.
She went to the University of Gloucestershire to study media and English literature but was forced to abandon her studies due to the high costs she incurred.
She said: "I had to have two jobs, working in the day and working at night in a bar because I had to pay rent and bills.
"I had to try and hold down two jobs and study, but it was too much.
"I would work during the day until 6pm and then go to work in a club from 9pm until 3am the next morning."
The university plans to pay a bursary of £1,000 for each student who qualifies for financial help.
University spokesman Paul Drake said the proposed fee was "competitive while not undermining the value of a Gloucestershire degree".
10 Comments
by Digger, Gloucester
Friday, May 06 2011, 9:36AM
“I think you'll find it's the University of Gloucestershire not Gloucester. Currently all students pay the same whether they go to Gloucestershire or Oxford. If you look at what other universities are charging, you'll see 99% will charge over £8000 so why would Gloucestershire charge any less? Not everyone wants to study medieval history or pure maths at a 'top university' or has the academic ability to do so. Gloucestershire has a very good record for employment and has an excellent reputation in some subject areas. It is also in the top half of most league tables, so why not do some research before trotting out all these tired prejudices against new universities?”
by Digger, Gloucester
Friday, May 06 2011, 9:29AM
“I think you'll find it's the University of Gloucestershire not Gloucester. Currently all universities charge the same amount, so it already costs the same to go to Gloucestershire as Oxford so this isn't a new thing. Not everyone wants to study medieval history or mathematics at a 'top university' or to be blunt has the aptitude to follow a highly academic course.
The Uni of Gloucestershire has a very good reputation in many subjects - It is also in the top half of most national league tables, and has an excellent employment record of its graduates. Why don't you do some research rather than making prejudiced assumptions?”
by Mad Dog, Theocsbury
Thursday, May 05 2011, 9:36PM
“It's no real surprise the majority of uni's are charging the full £9000 or close to the full amount. It was bound to happen.”
by Jake, Glos
Thursday, May 05 2011, 8:13PM
“At £8250 per year, maybe they might take their studies more seriously instead of going out on the lash from Monday to Sunday.”
by Chris Roberts, Malvern
Thursday, May 05 2011, 3:25PM
“So the free lunch and the excuse not to get a job isn't so free anymore. If you can't afford the UG fees, take an Open University degree in your spare time. Simple.”
by Mr T, Glos
Thursday, May 05 2011, 1:53PM
“University spokesman Paul Drake said the proposed fee was "competitive while not undermining the value of a Gloucestershire degree".
What planet is this idiot living on. No wonder UG will flow down the plug hole as students vote with their feet.
Most of these former poly's should revert back to being colleges and polytechnics. They demean the term 'University'”
by RoadWombat, Gloucester
Thursday, May 05 2011, 11:48AM
“A second-rate college trying to be something it not. It's not as if they offer much in the way of real academic courses. The ones they do offer are mainly non-degrees for those seeking non-jobs; the sort that are rapidly being phased out in most organisations.”
by Sam, Gloucester
Thursday, May 05 2011, 11:23AM
“isnt gloucestershire university on the list of the 6 most likely to close, so why would you apply if its about to shut?! especially at those prices”
by Gloucester Mum, Gloucestershire
Thursday, May 05 2011, 8:12AM
“Fat chance of getting a decent number of students wanting to go to UG at that price. It's not worth it. They have one of the highest earning vice-chancellors and one of the least prestigious names. Students know that they'd be better off at a more prestigious university costing almost the same, or should just get a job.
Prepare for the desperate attempt to sell courses at any prices, and even BOGOFs, in 2012”
by Richard, Cheltenham
Thursday, May 05 2011, 8:01AM
“Headline 2012
Gloucestershire University Slashes Fees to £5,000.
Gloucester University has slashed it's fees to £5,000 in a desperate attempt to attract students. Applications fell by a massive 30% as students voted with their feet, refusing to pay fees just £750 a year less than Oxford and Cambridge. A students union spokesperson accused the university of being commercially naive by trying to charge the £8,250 just because it needed the money. "The University of Gloucester is not one of the top universities and it's fees should reflect the fact. If they want to charge top fees then then they have to add value to what they traditionally offer and really stand out above the rest of the mediocre universities."
The failed outgoing Vice Chancellor refused to comment other than to say somebody had to pay for his £275,000 salary and gold plated final salary pension.”