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Education: Uni softens the blow for students hit by fees rises
Susan Press looks at the latest statistics on tuition fees.
ONE in three students at the University of Leeds is expected to benefit from extra financial help as the controversy continues over the Government’s £9,000 tuition fees hike.
According to figures released this week by UCAS, the number of people in the UK applying for courses is down by a national average of 7.9 per cent.
In the Yorkshire region, universities have seen a larger 9.2 per cent drop in applications.
But the University of Leeds is bucking the trend with the help of a series of measures designed to soften the blow for students in greatest need.
The non-repayable help includes everything from reduced tuition fees for those with lower-income backgrounds to cash sums, discount accommodation and traditional scholarships and bursaries
UCAS figures show he number of applicants to the University of Leeds has fallen by only 5.9 per cent compared to last year, compared to the national drop of 7.9 per cent.
A Leeds University spokesman said: “Overall applications have fallen slightly, but as part of a managed reduction in undergraduate places we have increased entry requirements to recruit the brightest students, whatever their background, and enhance their university experience.
“It is still difficult to accurately assess the impact of increased tuition fees, but is apparent from our figures that school leavers still see the value of a world-class research-based education from the University of Leeds.
The spokesman added that applications through the University’s widening participation scheme Access to Leeds, offering support and advice to the socially disadvantaged, had doubled to over 3200 this year
At Leeds Metropolitan University, statistics show there were over 4000 fewer applicants this year than in 2011.
2011 saw 39,965 student applications whereas this year it was only 35,473
But university leaders say it is unfair to compare the latest application figures with 2011, when far more candidates applied in order to miss the higher fees.
Paul Smith, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Strategic Development at Leeds Metropolitan University said: “Our application figures are broadly in line with where they were two years ago which is what we anticipated, given last year’s figures were exceptional because of expected changes in higher education funding.
“We are currently the seventh most popular university in the UK and our figures show that we have had more applicants per available place than in the previous two years.
“We hope that by continuing to focus on a high quality student experience our University will remain a popular choice among potential students.”
UCAS insists that the fee rises have not had a significant impact on applications or deterred poorer students.
Chief Executive Mary Curnock Cook said: “Our analysis shows that decreases in demand are slightly larger in more advantaged groups than in the disadvantaged groups. Widely expressed concerns about recent changes in funding arrangements having a disproportionate effect on more disadvantaged groups are not borne out by these data.”
Wendy Piatt, director general of the Russell Group, which includes the University of Leeds, said: “Demand for higher education is not only strong – it’s actually rising over the long term.
“This year 540,073 prospective students have applied, which is 16 per cent more than the 464,167 who applied just three years ago in 2009.
“More than half a million potential students have rightly recognised the benefits of going to university.
“Prospective students know a good degree remains a smart investment.”
Universities UK, which represents 132 higher education institutions, says it will continue monitoring the impact of the new system on students.
However, the Scottish Government claims its position on tuition fees has been “vindicated” after UCAS figures showed only a 1.1 per cent fall in the number of Scots hoping to study in their home country, where tuition fees have not been introduced.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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