THE cost of attending the University of Chester is set to soar as students will now have to pay £9,000 per year - the maximum allowed by the government.
The figure, which is almost triple what students are currently paying, will leave those with a three-year undergraduate’s degree with a debt of about £27,000.
The city’s university followed a number of other North West universities which have already ramped up their fees, including Liverpool’s John Moore University, the University of Liverpool, Manchester University and the University of Central Lancashire.
University bosses defended the move, saying it would ensure that a “first-class student experience” could be maintained and to keep pace with increasing costs.
Vice-chancellor, Professor Tim Wheeler, said: “This figure has not been determined lightly, but is the conclusion of months of consultation, debate and meticulous calculations, involving students, staff and governors.
“The University of Chester will not compromise on its reputation for the quality of its teaching and research, as students and employers rightly expect high standards.
The fee we have proposed will enable us to continue to meet those expectations.”
To help poorer students deal with costs, the university has also pledged to try and help provide financial support to more than 40 per cent of the student body.
Some of the measures include making available more scholarships, ensuring that less advantaged students have access to a fee waiver, cash payment or discount on university accommodation and allocating £100,000 of additional financial support to students.
They also include giving all first-year full-time undergraduate students a £25 credit for use at the University’s bookshop, making additional investment in outreach activities and further enhancing employment support.
Professor Wheeler added: “In line with the national context on the number of university places available, the number of new student entrants has remained relatively static for the past two years.
“However, in terms of its growing popularity, the university is in the UK’s top five in the increase of numbers applying this year and it has attracted the North West’s largest increase in applications with over 10 applicants per place.
“When policy changes mean that 86 per cent of government funding has been removed, the new fees environment poses fresh challenges, opportunities and responsibilities.
“We will continue to listen carefully to what students tell us about their time here, making improvements that take advantage of the latest research and developments in employment and work based learning.”
Latest figures show about a third of universities in England will be charing the maximum fee from September 2012 amid major cuts to the institutions’ teaching budgets.
The controversial policy, backed by parliament in December 2010, sparked angry street protests. It was developed as the government’s response to a review of higher education funding by former BP chief Lord Browne.
Earlier, Chester Students’ Union president Dechlan Jarrett said he was sure if fees did go up, the University of Chester would do its best to keep up its cost-value.
He said: “Whatever decision is taken by the univesity, we as a students’ union have to make sure first of all the demands of students and staff alike are kept by the university.
“I’m happy to say they have taken the students’ needs and considerations into consideration. Regarding the whole situation of tuition fees, everyone needs to be totally educated about it and not just listen to one side.”