Vice-Chancellors Group, Universities UK, has reported that the introduction of ‘top-up’ fees in universities across the UK has made a “real difference” to students and helped higher education institutions become more sustainable in their bid to provide world-class education.

The findings come after UUK conducted a survey of universities in England. 62% of universities said that the additional investment from fees (which has been estimated to be in the region of £1.3 billion) had been instrumental in the improvement of facilities, staffing levels and student resources.

The report says:

“A common message is that the additional investment from fees has made a real difference to the financial sustainability of universities, allowing them to invest for the long term, reverse backlogs in maintenance, improve environmental performance, and go some way towards meeting rising student expectations.”

The report was presented at the first hearing of the Government’s review into tuition fees, which is being headed by Lord Browne. The full findings of the inquiry are not expected to be made public until after the next general election but many university experts believe it will consider growing concerns surrounding recent calls for the cap on fees to be lifted.

President of Universities UK, Professor Steve Smith, said:

“The report highlights what students in England have begun to get in return for their money up to this point.

“It is an encouraging picture - better facilities, more teaching staff, better support, advice and space for learning and socialising. These benefits are now being felt by current students and staff and as well as by universities' wider communities and the economy.”

It was also reported this week that the number of students attending university from poorer backgrounds has risen on previous years. According to the Higher Education Funding Council for England young people in the poorest areas are 30% more likely to go to university than they were five years ago.

Full details of the report can be found online at www.hefce.ac.uk.

Source: Universities UK