The University of Cumbria has said it is ‘reviewing’ after the government announced a rise in tuition fees for university students.
Tuition fees for domestic undergraduate students in England will rise to £9,535 per year after eight years of being frozen at a maximum of £9,250.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told MPs on Monday that the fee rise had “not been an easy decision” but it was necessary to “secure the future of higher education” amid financial challenges.
University leaders have warned of significant financial concerns as a result of frozen tuition fees – which are currently £9,250 per year – paid by domestic students and a fall in international students.
The University of Cumbria blamed ‘inflationary pressures’ as the reason for their request for an additional £8million for the flagship Citadels project in Carlisle city centre.
The university had originally pledged to give £23.5million to the £77million Borderlands Partnership project but has since requested to pay £15.5million.
In a report sent to the Borderlands Partnership, the university said it is suffering with “intense inflationary pressures, increasing employer pension contributions and increased utility costs” which have all contributed to the request.
The university said that tuition fees have remained at £9,250 since 2017 and haven’t increased with inflation, representing a ‘significant’ reduction in value.
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A University of Cumbria spokesperson said: "We're currently reviewing what this week's announcement on the rise of tuition fees will mean for our students and our university.
“We are Cumbria’s university, rooted in and serving our communities, with people, place and partnership at our heart.
“With others, we are already working to raise participation in higher education through innovative progression routes, transforming lives and livelihoods which supports the delivery of higher-level skills for the workforce and brings economic growth.”
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