As was predicted by various speculators, the daunting prospect of rising tuition fees has manifested itself in a 10% drop in University applications in England. Statistics gleaned from Ucas indicate that 46,413 less applicants have put themselves forward for higher education compared to last year. Ucas have compiled more specific data which show that applications from the UK dropped by 7.7% overall. This is likely to be on account of the less menacing financial deterrents in the other countries; applications in Wales wherein university students are partly government subsidised dropped by 2.7%, applicants to Scotland which has various residency subsidies saw a drop of 2.2% while applications from Northern Ireland where fees have remained fixed have dropped by 4.4%. The disparity between the drop in applications in the various regions suggests that the English fee hike to £9000 is proving a decisively disconcerting factor. The expectation for students to bear these huge costs has been critically assessed by Sally Hunt, General Secretary of the University and College Union, "It should come as little surprise that applications in England are hardest-hit as a result of the government making it the most expensive country in the world in which to gain a public degree education [...]Erecting punitive financial barriers is not the way to encourage the best and brightest to get on. Do ministers really want to return us to a time when money, not ability, mattered most for success?"
There are various arguments for and against the fee hikes, however it still ought to remain the governments priority to provide affordable education for everybody who can have the opportunity to enhance their skill sets and career options. Ucas' data demonstrates that money is still a problem for many; while a degree may come with the opportunity of higher long-term earning potential, the short term debts are difficult to disregard, especially in the current recession. Along with the increasing number of people who believe degrees in themselves have been devalued by their over-accessibility and the range of niche subjects which are available to study but not advantageous for the economy it is unsurprising that there has been such a sharp drop in applicants.
Universities Minister David Willetts is keen to see the silver lining and insists that "Even with a small reduction in applications, this will still be a competitive year like any other as people continue to understand that university remains a good long-term investment in their future" Whether or not Willetts' statement is true will be seen when clearing for university applications finish later this year, but it is clear that the governments financial measures have had an immediate impact.
Tom B, GRB Journalist
