December 10, 2010 7.08 am This story is over 159 months old

University takes fees increase in its stride

Moving on: The University of Lincoln says it will be fine amid tuition fees increases and teaching funds cuts, but students continue to protest.

The University of Lincoln is resigned to the outcome of Parliament’s vote on December 9 to treble the tuition fees cap to £9,000 per year, along with a lower £6,000 cap. The university however, says it is still “fundamentally opposed” to higher tuition fees.

“The University’s position on cuts to higher education funding and the raising of the cap on tuition fees remains consistent,” said Professor Scott Davidson, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Lincoln.

“Like other universities, we have been preparing for the proposed changes to higher education,” he added.

The University of Lincoln said it does not know as of yet how much it would be charging students for one year’s tuition fees.

Davidson explained that increasing tuition fees were “an inevitability” after a reduction in Higher Education teaching grant was announced in the spending review.

On hearing the news about the increasing the tuition fees cap to £9,000 per year, the group of students occupying a room at the university decided to stay indefinitely.

Conservative Lincoln MP Karl McCartney voted in favour of the reforms: “In today’s financial environment, the taxpayer is not an everlasting piggy bank.

“I know the policy put forward by the Coalition Government is unpopular with some students in the city and I can understand why,” McCartney said.

“To maintain or increase student numbers […] and ensure universities like the one in our city remains first class, there is unfortunately little alternative.

“I fully support the Coalition Government’s proposals for the future funding of Higher Education,” McCartney added.

A University College Union (UCU) report claims that the University of Lincoln is at “high level of potential impact” from funding cuts and tuition fees increases.

The report’s worst-case scenario is closure of the university, something which the University of Lincoln denied it is in danger of.

“The University contributes almost £250 million each year to the economy of the region, and has driven employment and economic growth locally,” Davidson said.

“As a result, we are well positioned for continued success in the future.”

Photo: Samuel Cox | Related Report: The Linc, Bullet, Lincolnshire Echo