|
Latest News
|
[ Login Problems? Click Here ]
► HELP ON UPSU
► NUS News
Policy Pod 30/06/10: This week featuring highlights from our HE Cuts Conference in Birmingham
Policy Pod 23/06/10: This week at AMSU Conference in Surrey discussing the budget and the big AMSU/NUS merger vote
Policy Pod 16/06/10: This week NUS President Wes Streeting says goodbye
► TAKE A LOOK INSIDE
► SEARCH UPSU.COM
Advertise
University of Plymouth Students Union has various student marketing and student advertising tools that can promote your services direct to our students.
For all our student
marketing & advertising opportunities click the media pack button.
► Tuition Fees
TUITION FEES
PETITIONS...
Petition to Linda Gilroy MP:
The introduction of top up fees has left students saddled with years of debt. The government review in 2009 could see the cap on tuition fees lifted above £3000 a year marking the move towards an even more exclusive and marketised education system. Yet just 10 years ago university education was free, and those now making the policy decisions did not have to pay.
For students now who are not put off by fees, the financial burden can compromise study and quality of life. More than two thirds of students are in employment whilst studying to support themselves, according to research by the TUC and NUS. Stress-related mental health issues and bankruptcy are becoming more common issues amongst students as a result.
We call upon Linda Gilroy MP to speak out against the lifting of the cap in 2009 and take forward the cases of students from the University of Plymouth.
Petition the the University Vice Chancellor:
The introduction of top up fees has left students saddled with years of debt. The government review in 2009 could see the cap on tuition fees lifted above £3000 a year marking the move towards an even more exclusive and marketised education system. Many university VCs are backing calls to lift the cap which would enable institutions to charge even higher fees. Yet just 10 years ago university education was free, and those now making the policy decisions did not have to pay.
For students now who are not put off by fees, the financial burden can compromise study and quality of life. More than two thirds of students are in employment whilst studying, and stress-related mental health issues and bankruptcy are becoming more common among students.
We call upon the University of Plymouth Vice-Chancellor to speak out against the lifting of the cap in 2009 on behalf of students at the Univeristy of Plymouth.
TO SIGN THESE PETITIONS, PLEASE EMAIL vpedandwelfare@upsu.com FROM YOUR STUDENT EMAIL ACCOUNT, INCLUDING YOUR COURSE TITLE, STUDENT REGISTRATION NUMBER (ON YOUR UNI CARD), AND YOUR POST CODE.
EVENTS:
October:
Monday 15th – Friday 19th: FIGHT THE FEES WEEK
· Sign the wall of debt in the SU – how much debt are you in?
· Come and tell us your debt concerns in the SU
Last year we saw the introduction of top up fees, meaning that students have to now pay £3000 a year for their university education. In 2009 the government are undertaking a review which could see the £3000 cap lifted to enable institutions to charge even higher fees.
Yet just ten years ago, university education in Britain was free. Now students are being asked to pay more and more, but contact time with lecturers has gone down.
We have already seen the impacts that tuition fees have had in reducing equal access and disadvantaging people from poorer backgrounds, mature students, students from minority backgrounds and those with children or dependents.
The “means tested” grants, supposed to help less privileged students, actually discriminate against many of the poorest in society, who may have a combined parental income above the threshold value for the maximum grant, but may well not receive any financial support from the family.
The prospect of soaring levels of debt causes high levels of stress and affects the mental health of many students who are struggling financially and having to juggle part-time and even full time jobs, working long hours, just to pay for their course and living expenses.
The lifting of the £3000 cap would be a disaster for the majority of students and young people – those that aren’t put off by the high costs would be saddled with debt that it will take most of their life to pay off, and then what if they have children who want to go to uni?
We need a broad campaign to build up pressure on MPs and the government against lifting the cap and to fight for a free, fair and funded education for all.
Get involved – email vpedandwelfare@upsu.com
