The increase marks the first adjustment since 2017, with maintenance loans also seeing a rise to support students amidst a cost of living crisis

UK students in England will face increased financial burdens in the 2025/26 academic year as undergraduate tuition fees rise to £9,535, an increase of £285 from the previously frozen maximum of £9,250. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced the changes in Parliament, asserting that the rise is necessary to address immediate financial challenges faced by universities.

In addition to the tuition hike, maintenance loans will also see an increase, aimed at helping students navigate the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The National Union of Students (NUS) responded to the announcement, describing the tuition fee increase as a “sticking plaster” while acknowledging that the rise in maintenance loans would significantly benefit the poorest students.

For universities, the rise in fees serves as a crucial cash injection, although the adjustment applies only to the upcoming academic year. Vice-chancellors are keenly awaiting further government announcements regarding long-term financial strategies for the sector.

Phillipson indicated that the government is preparing to unveil major reforms designed to secure long-term investment in higher education. She emphasised that the government is committed to demanding more accountability from universities, including scrutinising the salaries of top executives, in an effort to ensure better value for both students and taxpayers.

This increase comes amidst a broader context of shifting political sentiments regarding tuition fees. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who previously pledged to abolish tuition fees while campaigning for the Labour leadership in 2020, has since signalled a departure from that stance. In light of the party’s focus on NHS funding, he has confirmed that Labour is unlikely to pursue tuition fee abolition in the near future.

The Conservative shadow education secretary, Laura Trott, condemned the fee rise as a “hike in the effective tax graduates have to pay,” highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding the affordability of higher education in the UK.

As students prepare for the financial implications of this fee increase, the government’s forthcoming reforms will be crucial in shaping the future landscape of university funding and student support.

THE TELEGRAPH

In a controversial move, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing backlash for announcing an increase in university tuition fees from £9,250 to £9,535, effective September 2025. This decision marks the first fee hike in eight years and has led to accusations that Starmer is reneging on his 2020 pledge to abolish tuition fees altogether.

The increase, part of the government’s broader budget strategy, has prompted criticism from students and educational institutions alike, with many arguing that it undermines access to higher education and places an additional financial burden on students. Universities UK (UUK) has expressed concerns over the implications for student debt and the overall affordability of university education in the UK.

Opposition parties have seized upon the announcement, framing it as a betrayal of the promises made during Starmer’s leadership campaign. Critics argue that the rise in fees contradicts Labour’s commitments to support students and make education more accessible, raising questions about the party’s direction under Starmer’s leadership.

As the government faces mounting scrutiny over its education policies, this tuition fee increase may prove to be a contentious issue in upcoming discussions and could impact public perception of Starmer and the Labour Party’s dedication to education reform.

THE GUARDIAN

Labour’s announcement to raise university tuition fees from £9,250 to £9,535—marking the first increase in eight years—has reignited concerns over higher education funding in England. Despite Keir Starmer’s earlier pledge to abolish tuition fees, the government has opted for this incremental rise to stave off a crisis in university finances, with many institutions facing potential insolvency.

While the additional £285 fee may seem modest, it reflects the government’s significant anxiety about the stability of the higher education sector. Vice-chancellors argue that the increase is insufficient to address the erosion of income due to inflation, with some universities already running budget deficits. Prof. Sasha Roseneil of the University of Sussex expressed that the changes, while helpful, are merely a stopgap and fail to provide adequate solutions for students or institutions.

The funding model established in 2012, which tripled tuition fees to £9,000, initially benefited universities, but a long freeze on domestic fees has led to dwindling income. The reliance on international students—whose fees are uncapped—has been hampered by visa restrictions, further straining finances.

Critics fear that rising fees will deter students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, from pursuing higher education. The Institute for Fiscal Studies warned that if fees continue to increase annually in line with inflation, they could reach £10,680 by 2029-30, exacerbating student debt and uncertainty about the future of higher education funding. With many students already anxious about debt levels, the rise poses a significant challenge for Labour as it seeks to restore confidence in its commitment to accessible education.