Your Views on University Fees Needed
Want to go to Uni? It's about to get tougher.
By Caitriona Connolly and Laura Boyle
On 15 March 2011 the Department for Employment and Learning, issued a consultation paper on higher education tuition fees. In England and Wales the government is planning to raise the fees up to £9000 per year unless there are “exceptional circumstances”. This has provoked protests and even riots.
That proposed rise is expected to have a knock on effect here. In Belfast, hundreds protested at the City Hall, stopping the traffic. Eight people were arrested, and two of them were charged with a criminal offence.
The proposals from DEL set out 5 options for discussion:
- to abolish fees
- to maintain the level at the current rate
- raise fees to £4,500 a year
- raise fees to between £5,000 and £5,700
- raise fees to between £6,000 and £9,000 as in England and Wales.
Future students are concerned about not being able to afford to pay for their education, never mind paying for accommodation and all the other living costs. They are worried about whether they will be able to get a loan or end up in huge debt. The proposed increase also risks making students from disadvantaged backgrounds feel under privileged and discriminated against.
“I feel as if I have wasted my time this year, rather than getting a job and receiving income to help with the bills of the house," says Clare Beattie, a 6th year pupil. "Tuitions fees have completely put me off going to university and getting the career I’ve wanted.”
Anyone can add their views to the consultation. You can do that directly to the Department of Employment and Learning or talk about it here.
Are you thinking about going to university? Does the idea of a rise in fees put you off? And if you can’t go to university, what will that mean for your future? Should learning be based on ability to pay or ability to learn? Tell us what you think.
