Student debt 'deters girls more'

Girls were more concerned about the cost to their families than boys

Girls are more likely to be put off going to university by the fear of large debts than boys, a survey suggests.

A study at Brighton University found two thirds of female pupils aged 14 to 15 would not go into higher education if it meant graduating £10,000 in the red. Less than half of boys felt the same.

Education Secretary Charles Clarke has admitted students face debts of up to £21,000 if the government succeeds in raising maximum tuition fees to £3,000 a year.

Researcher Judith Watson said in-depth discussions had shown boys were more "bullish" about university and felt more confident about earning large amounts after graduating.

Lower earnings

She added: "There was quite a difference between boys and girls. Quite often the girls thought about restricting their choice of course because of the cost.

"They seemed to be more aware of the potential costs to their parents. Maybe some of them are right to be worried about costs, as they tend to earn less than men over their lifetimes."

Tuition fees are currently set at a flat rate of £1,125 - to be paid at the beginning of the year - in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Under the government's plans, students would pay up to £3,000 a year. But this money will not be repayable until graduates are earning at least £15,000.

The National Union of Students (NUS), which commissioned the survey, estimates resulting debts from so-called "top-up fees" will be up to £30,000.

'Rich and poor'

Its president, Mandy Telford, said: "Instead of basing choices on academic achievement and course suitability, participants said they would have to make compromises because of financial pressures.

"Worryingly, many listed cost and closeness to home as more important factors than the actual degree course.

"This is further proof that top-up fees will create a two-tier system for students where rich students can pick and choose any course at any place and poorer students will choose cheaper courses."

The government says it has to introduce higher fees to enable it to get "towards 50%" of young people into higher education by 2010.

A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said: "The same concerns were being raised when we first introduced tuition fees in 1998 and since that time student numbers have risen.

"Our proposals ensure that from 2006 university will be free at the point of access and fair at the point of repayment.

"We are getting rid of upfront fees so no parent of student will pay while they are studying and we are looking at ways in which the poorest students will have all their fees covered."

The NUS is planning an anti-fees demonstration involving 20,000 people in central London on Sunday.

Researchers spoke to 346 children in Stoke-on-Trent, London, Brighton, south Wales and Doncaster for the study.