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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Rush for university places fails to materialise as top-up fees bite
August 18, 2006 6:22 PM
Degrees for sale
Despite a record-breaking year for A-level results there has been no late rush from students to apply for vacant UK University places, indicating that many young people are being put off by the prospect of paying top-up fees and incurring debts of up to £30,000, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson, Peter Black, has claimed.
Mr. Black was speaking after it was revealed that the current number of applications for courses at UK universities remains down around 3.6% on last year's figures. Universities were hoping more students would sign up for courses through the clearing system. There has been speculation that a rise in tuition fees, coming into force this autumn in England has deterred some students. However, the level of student debt is also considered to be a factor.
The first day of clearing, when students get their results and know whether they have got the grades for their chosen university, is usually the busiest for universities. This year the process appears to be moving quickly, with about 300,000 students having had their places confirmed by the end of Thursday. But plenty of vacancies remain - more than 37,000 courses have one or more spare places.
"The evidence keeps stacking up," said Mr. Black. "What we are seeing is that the market that the Labour Government has created in Higher Education through the introduction of top-up fees and the rising level of student debt is deterring young people from going to university."
"It is very sad to think that there are intelligent young people out there who achieved good grades this week but who will not be applying to university because of the cost. School leavers opting to study for a degree face an unprecedented burden of debt which is going to affect their ability to buy homes, start families and save for old age."
"It is not just young people who will lose out as a result of this. They are our future leaders, managers, scientists, doctors and entrepreneurs. The whole British economy will suffer if higher education continues to become accessible only to those who can afford it."
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