The UK government recently declared that university tuition fees would be going up. Since it remained unchanged after 2017, the government has declared for the first time in eight years that inflation-linked fees will increase to a record £9,535 ($12,340) annually starting in April.

Fee hike

The most recent fee hike was announced by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. The existing costs of £9,250 will be increased by £285.

"We inherited in our universities, as across much of our public sector, the consequences of long years of shameful abdication of responsibility," Phillipson stated Monday in the House of Commons. According to Indian Express, "We will secure the future of higher education and fix the foundations." 

Financial strain on education section

The announcement of the fee hike was made in response to the growing financial strain on the educational sector. Since fees haven't changed in a long time, the industry is experiencing a severe funding dilemma. Additionally, about 40% of suppliers of higher education were forced into deficits. Because they paid higher tuition, the institutions attempted to attract more international students; nevertheless, the lengthy debate over the Graduate Route Visa by the previous administration led to a decline in the number of international students.

To help students manage their expenses, the government also declared that maintenance loans would be increased. The maintenance loans will give up to £414 more per year to students from the lowest-income families. 

Phillipson stated, “This government’s mission is to break down barriers to opportunity, which is why we are doing more to support students struggling with the cost of living despite the fiscal challenges our country faces.”