A survey has found out that more than half of those students who are taking A-levels now are not going to continue education or are undecided about entering universities because they can’t afford the cost. Almost 47% of respondents said that they prefer going straight into work after getting their A-levels while 12% are still hesitating in their choice.
11% of those students who are planning to go straight for employment explains their decision by the desire to "start earning straight away", only 6% replied that university is just not for them while 67% claim that they "couldn't afford university due to the planned rises in tuition fees".
The number of universities and the amount of tuition fees that they are planning to charge differ between the Office of Fair Access and the Guardian. According to the first resource, starting from 2012 all 123 English universities and university colleges in England will charge £6,000. However, research conducted by the Guardian has revealed that almost three-quarters of them intend to charge the maximum fees, at least for some of their courses.
However, the poll by discount website MyVoucherCodes.co.uk found that students are not well-aware of the costs and 71% of respondents admitted they have no idea how much tuition fees cost.
A spokesman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills mentioned in his essay: "Ability to learn, not ability to pay will determine who studies at university in the future. No student will be asked to pay upfront costs, there will be more financial support for poorer students and those who go on to earn the highest incomes will make the largest contributions after they have graduated."
