Charges for attending a higher education course

For 2008 entry, universities and colleges in England and Wales have set their tuition fees at up to £3,145 per year. It is likely the fees will be the same in Northern Ireland. The maximum fee charged will not rise by more than the rate of inflation before 2010 at the earliest. Amounts charged may vary between courses as well as between different universities and colleges.

Students will not have to pay for these fees up front as they will automatically qualify for a loan. They will not have to begin paying for their course until they have finished studying and are earning more than £15,000.

This means that they will not have to find the money before they start their course or whilst they are studying, and the fees will be paid direct to their university or college on their behalf.

Wales

From 2007 onwards, students who normally live and study in Wales are entitled to a tuition fee grant. From 2008, this tuition fee grant is up to £1,890. If your son/daughter normally lives in Wales and stays to study in Wales, this effectively caps their fees at around £1,255 a year. The tuition fee grant is available irrespective of family income, is paid directly to the place of study and does not have to be repaid.

If your son/daughter normally lives in Wales visit www.studentfinancewales.co.uk or www.cyllidmyfyrwyrcymru.co.uk for more information on 'Student Finance Wales' services. These include the Assembly Learning Grant (for living costs); student loans (for living costs and the cost of tuition fees); the tuition fee grant; specific grants for those students in special circumstances; and the Welsh National Bursary.

Scotland

If studying in Scotland and coming from elsewhere in the UK, the annual fee is £1,735. If studying a medical course, the fee is £2,760 - these rates are for 2007/08. The 2008/09 rates will not be available until early next year. Students will be able to defer their fees through a student loan.

See www.saas.gov.uk for more information.

Find out more about tuition fees in the student finance section.