University of Liverpool gives third of 2012 students £2,000 bursary to offset £9,000 fee
THE University of Liverpool last night revealed around a third of all students enrolling next year will qualify for a minimum £2,000 per year bursary to cushion the blow of maximum fees.
The move came as it was claimed rocketing tuition fees could stifle the rising number of state school pupils enrolling at the region’s universities.
The region’s other universities also pledged to offer packages for low income families as figures reveal more students from mainstream secondaries than ever are securing places.
But with the cap on fees being lifted next year – which will see the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University charge the maximum £9,000 tuition fees – student leaders fear less state school pupils will be willing to take the plunge.
The University of Liverpool has moved to quell such fears by unveiling a raft of financial packages.
These include a pledge that at least 30% of students enrolling in 2012 will qualify for an annual £2,000 bursary to be paid into their banks each year.
Vice Chancellor Sir Howard Newby has also told staff that other students will also be able to pocket up to £9,000 in bursaries and “fee waivers” during their stay at the university.
He said: “We remain committed to ensuring all students have access to a world-class education at Liverpool regardless of background or ability to pay.”
Newly-released Higher Education Statistics Agency statistics show the region’s universities are welcoming more state school pupils than ever.
The data shows 98.6% of all students at Liverpool Hope University in 2009/10 were from state schools – compared to 98.3% the previous academic year.
Liverpool John Moores University enjoyed an increase from 95.2% to 95.6% over the same period while at the University of Liverpool the number rose from 84.7% to 85.6%.
The University of Chester also enjoyed an increase from 97.5% to 97.7% and the majority of pupils at Ormskirk’s Edge Hill University are also from state schools despite a slight dip from 99% to 98.8%.
But Josh Wright, president of the University of Liverpool’s students union, said universities would struggle to sustain the rises amid soaring tuition fees.
He said: “When the fees go up I expect there will be a dip due to the fear of debt.
“Support students get will vary and students will look at the level of debt rather than the academic benefits of university.”
The union will now lobby for students to receive a full breakdown of how their tuition fees are spent.
Hope University is still finalising its packages but secretary Graham Donelan said measures to help low income students would continue and there was “no evidence” to suggest state school pupils would be put off by higher fees.
And the university’s record number of state pupils he said came despite tougher entry requirements – with students on average needing three Bs at A-level to secure a place.
The University of Chester said it received 10 applications for every place.
And its Vice Chancellor Professor Tim Wheeler said: “The university is confident that at whatever rate the University Council approves the final tuition fee level, it will be able fill its course portfolio.”
Liverpool John Moores University stressed it had a “strong record” in widening participation which would continue as its “success has always depended on an ability to attract a wide range of students”.
Buoyed by the figures a spokesman for Edge Hill University said: “We will continue to remain an attractive option in the brave new world of university funding”.
For more news from the Liverpool Daily Post click here.
The University of Liverpool last night revealed around a third of all students enrolling next year will qualify for a minimum £2,000 per year bursary to cushion the blow of maximum fees.
The move came as it was claimed rocketing tuition fees could stifle the rising number of state school pupils enrolling at the region’s universities.
The region’s other universities also pledged to offer packages for low income families as figures reveal more students from mainstream secondaries than ever are securing places.
But with the cap on fees being lifted next year – which will see the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University charge the maximum £9,000 tuition fees – student leaders fear less state school pupils will be willing to take the plunge.
The University of Liverpool has moved to quell such fears by unveiling a raft of financial packages.
These include a pledge that at least 30% of students enrolling in 2012 will qualify for an annual £2,000 bursary to be paid into their banks each year.
Vice Chancellor Sir Howard Newby has also told staff that other students will also be able to pocket up to £9,000 in bursaries and “fee waivers” during their stay at the university.
He said: “We remain committed to ensuring all students have access to a world-class education at Liverpool regardless of background or ability to pay.”
Newly-released Higher Education Statistics Agency statistics show the region’s universities are welcoming more state school pupils than ever.
The data shows 98.6% of all students at Liverpool Hope University in 2009/10 were from state schools – compared to 98.3% the previous academic year.
Liverpool John Moores University enjoyed an increase from 95.2% to 95.6% over the same period while at the University of Liverpool the number rose from 84.7% to 85.6%.
The University of Chester also enjoyed an increase from 97.5% to 97.7% and the majority of pupils at Ormskirk’s Edge Hill University are also from state schools despite a slight dip from 99% to 98.8%.
But Josh Wright, president of the University of Liverpool’s students union, said universities would struggle to sustain the rises amid soaring tuition fees.
He said: “When the fees go up I expect there will be a dip due to the fear of debt.
“Support students get will vary and students will look at the level of debt rather than the academic benefits of university.”
The union will now lobby for students to receive a full breakdown of how their tuition fees are spent.
Hope University is still finalising its packages but secretary Graham Donelan said measures to help low income students would continue and there was “no evidence” to suggest state school pupils would be put off by higher fees.
And the university’s record number of state pupils he said came despite tougher entry requirements – with students on average needing three Bs at A-level to secure a place.
The University of Chester said it received 10 applications for every place.
And its Vice Chancellor Professor Tim Wheeler said: “The university is confident that at whatever rate the University Council approves the final tuition fee level, it will be able fill its course portfolio.”
Liverpool John Moores University stressed it had a “strong record” in widening participation which would continue as its “success has always depended on an ability to attract a wide range of students”.
Buoyed by the figures a spokesman for Edge Hill University said: “We will continue to remain an attractive option in the brave new world of university funding”.
For more news from the Liverpool Daily Post click
here.
‹
Back
The Capital, 39 Old Hall Street, Liverpool
L3 9PP
Telephone: +44(0)151 600 2900
Email:
info@liverpoolvision.co.uk