Welsh Government confirms tuition fees are set to rise for the second time this year

For the second time, university tuition fees in Wales will rise in the 2025-2026 academic year.

The prices are changing to a yearly fee of £9,535, an increase from the previous raise, which saw an advance to £9,250 in September.

This comes after the UK Education Secretary announced a rise in tuition fees in England last month. For many years Wales has not met the fees of English Universities, until now; reflecting the current financial crisis across universities.

The raised tuition fee cap will apply to all students who choose to study in Wales, not simply Welsh students.

The Welsh Government, alongside the fee increase, declared a 1.6 per cent hike in maintenance loans, for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Some students have told The Cardiff Tab what they think about the fee increase. One said that it was an “absolute joke”, while another claimed that the “system is so screwed and it’s genuinely driving students away.”

However, others suggested they weren’t too bothered, one remarked that they “don’t really care” as they “will probably never pay it back anyway”.

According to Wales Online, the Welsh Government has said: “In recognition of the increased costs of higher education provision and to provide additional funding to Welsh Universities and to help ensure they remain viable and competitive, the cap on the maximum amount undergraduate student choosing to study in Wales can be charged will increase to £9,535 from £9,250, in line with England.

The Welsh Government has made it clear that it does not set fees, but instead the maximum that can be charged. However, universities have never charged less than this cap, its website informs.

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“This decision will not affect the amount of money available to students whilst they study. The tuition fee loan will also increase up to £9,535. The partial write-off of student debt up to £1,500 when a student begins repaying their loans will still continue. This is unique to Welsh students, no matter where they study.”

The NUS Wales has also critiqued the fee increase, saying: “We remain deeply concerned about the rising burden of student debt. This marks the second fee cap increase for students in Wales in 2024”.

The union has praised the simultaneous advancement in maintenance loans, however, argued that this did not take away from the fact that the change is “not sustainable” for students, according to Deio Owen, NUS Cymru’s President.

On the other hand, Universities Wales has accepted the hike in prices, with Wales Online reporting that members welcomed this “announcement of additional support, which comes at a critical time for Welsh universities.” A spokesperson for the organisation said that the further costs will be a “much needed investment” to all universities.

Talking about the fee cap increase, the Welsh Minister for higher and further education, Vikki Howells, said: “Living costs should not be a barrier to studying at university and I am proud that Wales has always offered our students the most generous financial support in the UK.

“Welsh Government remains committed to supporting people to invest in their future and ensure that everyone, no matter their background, can access and participate in higher education so we can raise skills for the future of the Welsh economy.

“The decision to raise tuition fees was difficult but necessary to ensure Welsh higher education institutions remain competitive with those in other parts of the UK. I want to be clear that this small increase in fees should not dissuade anyone from Wales considering applying for university next year. An increase in fees will not increase the upfront cost of university for students. Nor will it increase their monthly repayments as graduates.”

Feature image via Google Maps