Debt 'deters majority' of would-be students

NUS is concerned at funding proposals

The fear of a £20,000 debt will put 85% of young people off going to university, a survey suggests.

The National Union of Students (NUS) estimates this will be the amount owed by most graduates if the government raises annual tuition fees to a maximum of £3,000 by 2006.

For the survey, the NUS interviewed 15 to 16-year-olds, who will be the first group affected by the change.

It also found a third would not go to university if debt were £2,000 a year, rising to 60% if it reached £5,000.

Judith Watson, co-author of the report said: "It will be a great pity if young people with high aspirations are put off university by rising fees and debt.

"We are right to be concerned by the government's funding proposals."

'Fees necessary'

A government white paper published in January set out plans to raise tuition fees from the current £1,100 a year to a maximum of £3,000.

The NUS estimates some students could leave university owing £30,000, as they also have to borrow to pay living costs.

But the government says higher fees are necessary to get "towards 50%" of young people into higher education by 2010.

After announcing the proposals, Education Secretary Charles Clarke said: "The truth is that without investment our universities will slip behind in the world rankings - damaging the economy and propsects for students.

'Extremely worrying'

NUS president Mandy Telford said: "Fees and debt will deter the very students the government wants to attract to university.

"It is extremely worrying that 85% of school children would not go to university if the government goes ahead with its plans.

"If the government is genuinely committed to opening up education then it must remove the threat of top-up fees and debt.

"This research only proves that, under current proposals, less advantaged children will not have the same opportunities of access as their richer contemporaries."