11 May University tuition fees rise, again
As people are applying for student finance, they have discovered that the tuition fees have gone up another 250 pounds a year. I went to London Southbank University to find out the reaction from students and to talk to Student Services Manager Michael Swire.
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Radio Script
(3 minutes maximum)
Studio lead in:
With millions of students all over the country leaving university with debts up to 50 thousand pound, their financial sum is going to get a whole lot worse due to another increase in tuition fees. We sent reporter Emma Parker to a central London University to find out more.
(Sound Effect) Intro Voice Link:
Money is the underlying strain in the back of every student’s head. Among the various other maintenance loans and general living costs they owe, they now face another increase in debt as the Government has decided to up the tuition fee another two hundred and fifty pounds a year. While students are already expected to pay twenty-seven thousand pound for a standard three-year course, they are outraged with this additional cost that the Conservative government has decided to entail. Although Universities Minister Jo Johnson has claimed that the rise of the fees is linked with higher-quality teaching, many students do not agree raising fees is the appropriate way. Michael Swire, of London Southbank’s University student services, receives the inquires of many students dealing with handling their finance.
Interview with Michael Swire:
I think people are looking for value for money and I think that previously it wasn’t such an issue, but it is now that students will even say I’m paying nine thousand pounds a year. So, if there’s any sort of problems or issues that they’re having with their university, and that especially effects us in student services, they’re seeing that they want value for money. And, that’s caused more competition in the sector and perhaps if you found more negative comments from students about issues with how much the fees are, it may be because of that sort of change of mind-set that students are seeing themselves as consumers.
Early Exit (pot cut) Point
Voice Link:
However, it’s not only students that have to deal with these finances. “The Bank of Mum and Dad” is a nationwide concept of students relying on their parent’s money to help get through their education. But, not every young adult has this option – some families simply cannot afford to fund their children which leaves them missing out on higher education that they want. Furthermore, alongside the already growing debt students encounter at an interest rate of 4.6%, the extra two hundred and fifty pounds a year has caused a backlash from students at London Southbank University.
(With wild track sound) Vox pop 1:
Some people just don’t have the financial incomes to get through uni as it is. Like, I already rely on my mum and dad to help with food costs and things like that and just everyday things that could go wrong. So, the fact that student loan doesn’t cover that itself and its going up even more is just ridiculous.
Early Exit (pot cut) Point
(With wild track sound) Vox pop 2:
Already, students are struggling to pay it off and I just don’t see how they can justify it by increasing it again. Yes, it’s a small amount, around two hundred and fifty pounds, but that could be spent on books that could help towards our education.
Closing Voice Link:
It is clear that the newly adapted nine thousand, two hundred and fifty pounds a year tuition fee has not settled well with the students at London Southbank University. With the general election vastly approaching, the young vote may be in Jeremy Corbyn’s favour as the Labour Government are hinting they will pledge to completely abolish the fees. This has been Emma Parker, reporting for JLDN news.
Back Announcement:
That was reporter Emma Parker reporting from London Southbank University about the recent rise in tuition fees.
