Students March Against 'Unfair' Top-Up Fees System

Poorer university undergraduates in England are suffering worst from the current top-up fees system, according to the National Union of Students, which will today stage a protest in London.

Thousands of students are expected to descend on the capital, to put pressure on the government ahead of its review into higher education funding, scheduled for next year.

Student union members have argued the existing system leaves an average student with £20,000 of debt, and that the current financial support mechanism is merely a 'postcode lottery'.

NUS President Wes Streeting said all students had to pay £3,145 in top-up fees, but the amount of financial assistance they receive depends on where they live.

Poorer students who apply to richer universities could receive £1,791, while others may only be able to offer £680.

Students have called for a national bursary scheme that would ensure poorer students get financial support based on how much they need it, not on where they study.

"Students and parents also deserve a full, frank and public debate about the current fees system ahead of a general election before families are saddled with even more debt by those who want to see the cap on fees lifted," said the NUS President.

However, the government's Universities Department has stressed there is no evidence to suggest top-up fees were discouraging new undergraduates.

Fees do not have to be repaid until graduates earn over the £15,000 threshold, added the department.

The government has already moved to replace partial funding to middle-income families to the growing number of poorer students receiving full grants, a step that could reportedly affect 40,000 students.

(PR/JM)