University of Bristol fees are being raised to £9250

Here we go again


It is universally acknowledged that Bristol is one of the best universities in the country; it easily makes the grade as a Russell Group University and sets some of the highest entry requirements for popular courses such as Medicine, Engineering and English.

Government plans to give universities the incentive to perform at a high level by removing the cap on fees and allowing universities to increase fees will almost certainly apply to Bristol as only universities that score the highest on teaching quality will qualify for the fee hike.

It is therefore unsurprising that Bristol, along with other top Universities such as Durham, Exeter and Nottingham has announced plans to charge incoming undergraduates £9250 fees from 2017 (providing that it goes through Parliament). Providing that Bristol qualifies as a university that provides high quality teaching it, along with other universities at this level will have the power to increase the fees they charge with the rate of inflation.

The impact that this almost certain fee increase will have upon sixth formers that are considering Russell Group universities such as Bristol is uncertain, but it is possible that students from poorer backgrounds will be put off by the ever increasing fees in considering these options.

Universities such as Bristol say that the current fees are too low to cover the cost of science based courses therefore an increase in fees is the only way to maintain these courses.

Universities that meet the criteria for the fee increase will cement their already secure status as institutes of academic excellence, but at what cost?