Over the past year, the issue of increased fees has taken pride of place as top concern when considering applying for University. Starting in 2012, fees increased to ÂŁ9,000 per year, three times the previous amount and now six months into the change, current first year students are paying the full amount. Prior to the change there was a wealth of speculation about what sort of effects the fee rise would really have. So, 6 months on HCX investigates the real effects of paying ÂŁ9000 and asks, what are we really paying for?
“Sometimes it feels odd walking around campus knowing that some people doing exactly the same course as me as paying so much more. It seems very unfair” says one Exeter University student. A fair concern, particularly considering the amount of time spent in a lecture, lab or seminar room. However there have been some changes to timetabling in the past year, with increases in contact hours in many subject areas. In the English department for example the average contact hours has been increased from 6 to 8 hours per week. An increase and the opportunity for workshop in many cases is highly beneficial to students, with just one extra hour making a difference to student understanding. “We have workshops now which really helps you understand concepts better” said one student. However, another still expressed concern in the lack of contact time, “We do have more hours than the second and third years, but it still doesn’t feel like enough.” Indeed a large proportion of students still felt that they should be getting more for their money. Of course hours is very much dependant on subject, but many students would still prefer more study especially when spending so much.
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As well as paying for the academic side, going to University has many other hidden costs that add even more onto the total. Expensive accommodation, insurance, transport and even paying for societies make keeping to a strict budget difficult; is it worth all the expense?
In fact, breaking down the costs some subjects can spend up to ÂŁ50 a lecture if you were to pay on the door. This sort of figure definitely makes you rethink skipping the 9am after Wednesday Timepiece. In fact in many cases, going out less has been a major effect of the fee rise. Flashing back to last year, the prospect of Thursday night Rococos was often on the cards being a popular student venue, however this year the club is completely inactive; students are simply not going out as much since the fee rise, likely due to a combination of saving money and focusing more on the degree work.
More generally, the fee rise has led to a massive decrease in students going to university. UCAS announced that 51, 000 fewer students started degree courses last autumn, with some Halls in Exeter actually closing through being unfilled. “I don’t think it’s fair that money has stopped so many people attending University. Your opportunity to study and get an education should in no way be dictated by money”. Indeed many students support this idea, highlighting the major flaw in the fee rise: that so many people, despite great academic ability, simply cannot afford to go.
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Whilst contact hours are still at a loss, and the amount of money spent is extortionate, most students felt that the experience was worth paying for. “It is a lot of money but you learn so much more than just your course”, in fact the opportunities available such as societies, volunteering, job prospects, socialising and generally forming opinions and getting a feel for your future makes the university experience an invaluable one and perhaps worth considering the extra fee. Indeed in Exeter specifically, we are constantly developing facilities and finding more opportunity to succeed both academically and personally, and in many ways this makes University very much work considering.
There is clearly a divide on this matter and both sides of the argument are valid. Making the most of opportunity is always something to be considered, and University is undoubtedly a hugely worthwhile experience. However, many costs certainly leave students frustrated in the limited contact hours for their subject and questioning what their money is going towards. Very much a personal choice, the ÂŁ9000 is the maximum many students would pay; hopefully the fees stay the same or even decrease to allow as many people as possible the opportunity to go to University.
Source: ucas.co.uk
Image credits: bbc.co.uk, kamaz.org.uk, telegraph.co.uk
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