Less popular university subjects set for discount under planned fees shake-up
The aim is to tempt more teens into taking skills gap subjects such as engineering
STUDENTS taking less popular university degrees will get a discount under a planned fees shake-up to be unveiled next week.
The aim is to tempt more teens into taking skills gap subjects such as engineering.
Maths, physics, chemistry, biology and languages are among other courses that would attract a reduced fee.
The idea, which will be considered by an independent review, could see costs of tuition slashed by a third, to £6,000-a-year.
Those taking popular courses such as medicine, psychology, marine biology and law would continue to pay up to £9,250 a year for tuition. The review is being ordered by Education Secretary Damian Hinds, who is championing the revamp.
It could also see interest rates on student loans cut. They are currently at 6.1 per cent.
Maintenance grants for the poorest students may also be brought back.
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And universities are likely to be urged to offer more fast-track degrees, where students take the same qualification over two years instead of three. That would leave them around £25,000 better off.
Former Education Secretary Nicky Morgan, who chairs the Commons Treasury Committee, backed a cut in interest on loans.
She said: “No persuasive explanation has been provided for why student loan interest rates should exceed those prevailing in the market, the Government’s own cost of borrowing and inflation.”