University of Wolverhampton to charge £8,500 fees

University of Wolverhampton has decided to charge £8,500 per year for all undergraduate degrees from 2012.

It also proposed an annual fee of £7,000 for its foundation degrees, Higher National Certificates (HNC) and Higher National Degrees (HND).

The university said the new fee levels were to compensate for the withdrawal of government funding.

Its students' union said the reduced funding will plunge students into a "future of debt".

Currently undergraduate degrees cost £3,375 per year, and £2,300 for all foundation degrees, HNCs and HNDs.

'Open and fair'

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Caroline Gipps, said: "We have come to this decision after careful consideration with stakeholders and through conducting research amongst prospective students, their parents and careers advisors."

Ken Harris, president of Wolverhampton Students' Union, said: "We are satisfied that the university's decision to set the tuition fee level at £8,500 has been based on a wide range of consultation."

Mr Harris added that the student's union would insist the university introduce additional financial support for those students with a greater need.

The university said it planned to match the 210 scholarships it was awarded from the National Scholarship Scheme with a further 210 scholarships for students from lower income households.

Professor Gipps said: "I am confident that our whole package will represent an open and fair deal for future generations of students who choose to study at the University of Wolverhampton."