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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Travel
John Baron

Leeds Metropolitan University to charge £8,500‎ tuition fees

Leeds Metropolitan University's board of governors has agreed to set fees at £8,500 for full-time undergraduates.

MPs voted to raise the cap of tuition fees last year to between £6,000 and £9,000 despite widespread student protests.

Leeds Met, which was a polytechnic until 1992, has become the first of a group of newer universities to announce the amount it plans to charge in 2012/13 when the new system comes into effect. 

In a statement, Lord Woolmer of Leeds, chair of the board at Leeds Metropolitan University, said:


"We are totally committed to providing a high quality student experience. In the face of huge cuts in Government funding we face difficult and tough choices.

"We shall continue to secure cost savings but it is essential that we remain able to invest in high quality university education and facilities for our students. We have a proud history of widening participating and will continue to support access into higher education and ensure that our students are successful at university and after they graduate."

Leeds Met will have to seek approval for its fee level of £8,500. On Thursday the University of Leeds is expected to confirm its decision to charge the full £9,000 in tuition fees. Both decisions are subject to final approval from the Office For Fair Access (OFFA).

Universities charging more than £6,000 have to demonstrate the extra support they plan to give students from the poorest backgrounds.

There's a lively debate going on over at the Student Room on the issue.

What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below.

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