Fee Fighters

What are we doing?

The Union is campaigning for a free higher education system, where the Government, through taxation, would pay for students to attend university, similar to schemes that are in place in Scotland and elsewhere in Europe.

Why are we doing it?

An official review of the fees system has just started, so this year, students from across the country will be pressuring the Government to fight for a fairer system.

Currently, home undergraduate student fees are ‘capped’ at just over £3000 a year. There are plenty of politicians and vice chancellors who would like to see the cap raised or removed completely.

In the current downturn there are fewer jobs available for graduates when they leave and many are unable to pay back their debt. Also, lots of students have to take on part-time work which can have a negative impact on their studies.

Students shouldn’t face mountains of debt, universities should be well funded, and society should benefit from the advantages of higher education.

How are we doing it?

To succeed, everyone needs to be convinced that higher education is an important issue.

UEA students will be talking to local residents, whilst meeting local MPs and councillors to get our voices heard. We will also be organising action in Norwich with students from other Unions in the area.

See what happened on campus the day the review was launched:

What have we achieved so far?

Although the current system of funding for Higher Education is pretty poor, it could have been a whole lot worse. In 2004, students at UEA were at the forefront of the campaign that brought the Government within five votes of defeat on the bill to introduce top-up fees.

Who can I get in touch with if I want to get involved?

Contact Rachel Handforth, Academic Officer, on [email protected].