Scots students likely to defer if fees return

Union figure warns against reintroducing graduate endowment

Just under two-thirds of university applicants in Scotland would put off starting their studies if tuition fees were introduced north of the border, according to a new poll.

Research firm Progressive polled more than 300 applicants to Scottish universities living in Scotland for the University and College Union (UCU) and found 63% would be less likely to start this autumn if they had to pay fees.

Just under a quarter (23%) said it would make no difference and 3% said they would choose a university outside Scotland if they faced paying fees, while 11% said they did not know.

The online survey, which questioned 313 applicants between June 8 and 15, said 95 respondents provided more detail and of these more than a quarter (26%) said they would either not go to university if they had to pay fees, would not be able to go or cannot afford the fees.

A further 11% said money would not affect their decision, while the same percentage said they would still attend if they had to pay fees.

Following legislation abolishing the graduate endowment fee coming into force in 2008, Scottish students have not had to pay towards the cost of undergraduate tuition in Scotland.

Fees are charged to students from the rest of the UK and outside the EU.

Thinktank Reform Scotland published a report in May calling for graduate endowment to be reintroduced as the university sector faces financial difficulty due to coronavirus.

UCU highlighted research it carried out indicating around 9,500 fewer international students are expected to study in Scotland this autumn, and said the survey suggests tuition fees would lead to a further reduction in student numbers and university income.

UCU Scotland official Mary Senior said: “As well as it being morally wrong to charge students for tuition, we can also now say with confidence that it makes no economic sense.

“Bringing back tuition fees – either upfront or after graduation – would damage Scottish universities’ finances.

“Universities across the UK are in crisis with forecasts of a catastrophic fall in the number of international students.

“As well as the Scottish and UK governments stepping in to help, the key to keeping universities going is maintaining student numbers and not deterring potential applicants.

“This poll highlights how charging tuition fees for students in Scotland would lead to a further reduction in the number of students, rather than provide additional income for universities.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We remain committed to free higher education for Scots-domiciled students and access to university being based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay.”

“Bringing back tuition fees – either upfront or after graduation – would damage Scottish universities’ finances. MARY SENIOR, UCU SCOTLAND

Picture: Kris Miller.