Tuition fee increase for UK universities: everything you need to know about this increase and whether international students should be concerned

It was in 2017 when universities in England increased tuition fees, to £9,250. Fast forward to 2024, the government has announced an increase in tuition costs to £9,535 (an increase of £285) for domestic students from April next year, in line with inflation. The move is aimed at improving the finances of several institutions hit by the crisis, reportedly caused by a visa restriction by the former conservative government, resulting in the decline of international students.

Education Minister Bridget Phillipson told X (formerly Twitter): “Universities are facing serious financial risks. Tuition fees have not kept pace with rising prices for years. Without action, we are faced with universities cutting back on their courses as some institutions are unable to continue to offer quality to students. That would be devastating for students, as they would have to pay for broken promises and fewer choices. Devastating for communities where universities provide good jobs that could be lost.”

“The situation we have inherited means that we must take action. And I will not shy away from tough decisions,” Phillipson added.

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The impact on student loan payments

According to one Financial times report, the recent move won’t have a major impact on student loan payments. Quoting the Minister of Education, the report points out that student loan repayments are based on a percentage of a graduate’s salary, not the size of the outstanding loan balance.

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In other words, while this change would increase the total amount of debt a student accrues, he/she will pay back the same fixed portion of their salary, according to the report.

Should international students studying in Britain be concerned?

The UK is home to some of the best educational institutions – from the University of Oxford to the London School of Economics, a key reason why it has always been one of the best destinations for students in India to study abroad.

However, will the increase in tuition fees impact international students, especially from India? Although no official statements have been made about how the latest fee increase will affect international students, it should be noted here that the average cost of studying in Britain ranges from £10,000 to £20,000.

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Big move amid a 16% drop in student visas

The recent increase in tuition fees comes as Britain recorded a 16 percent drop in international student visa applications between July and September 2024. Business standard cited data from the UK Home Office, which claimed the number of applications had fallen from 312,500 in 2023 to 263,400.