The new UK government has approved the first increase in maximum university education fees in eight years. As the country’s Education Minister Bridget Phillipson announced, from January 2025 they will increase by 3.1%, to £9,535 ($12,350) per year.
Vesti.az reports this with reference to TASS.
Speaking in the House of Commons, the minister explained the need for this step by inflation and the deteriorating financial situation of universities. It was further complicated by the recent decision of the out-of-power Conservative government to make it more difficult for foreigners with families to obtain student visas.
“There is no point in holding down education costs for future generations of students if there are no universities left for them to go to study,” Phillipson said, adding that Labor, which won the July parliamentary elections, is preparing to introduce major education reform that would will help ensure sufficient funding for universities.
The announced changes so far only apply to universities in England, but the authorities in Wales and Northern Ireland may follow the example of London. For residents of Scotland, education at universities in the region will remain free. For foreigners, studying at UK universities typically costs several times more than for British citizens and UK residents.