Sheffield Hallam University: Vice-Chancellor calls for "urgent" review of UK student funding

University bosses from across the country have said the £9,250 cap, which has been in place for some years, will now be worth around £6,000 because of inflation.

Sir Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor for Sheffield Hallam University, said: “There are high-tariff universities [which ask for very high A-level grades] pulling back from the UK market because they can charge higher prices in international markets. There is an urgent need to look at UK student funding.”

The calls for increased fees has prompted concern amongst the Association for School and College Leaders (ASCL).

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Geoff Barton, ASCL General Secretary, said to inews: “We would be extremely concerned about any big rise in university tuition fees, particularly in terms of disadvantaged young people and the potential to deter them from applying for university courses.

"The prospect of a huge financial commitment is especially likely to be off-putting for students from households in relative poverty.”

University bosses have made the suggestion for £24,000 per year tuition fees as they say institutions are forced to take more overseas students as they can be charged more, but this takes places away from UK students.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “It is a myth that offering a place to an international student takes a place away from a student in the UK. They actually support the creation of more places for domestic students.

“The student finance system must be fair for students, universities and the taxpayer, and it is right that we have frozen tuition fees to reduce the burden of debt on graduates. To support universities, we’re providing £750 million extra funding over the next three years.”

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One in five students starting top universities this year are international students, with UK students making up 83.7% of the total undergraduate student population.

According to UCAS, 20,360 A-Level students did not have a university place on results day, which is up 46% from last year, but down on 2019.

The £9,250 per year undergraduate tuition fee has been frozen for a decade.