New Shrewsbury university to charge maximum tuition fees

The number of universities charging blanket £9,000 tuition fees for all undergraduate courses has soared by 50 per cent this year, figures show.

A study by The Complete University Guide found that 75 per cent of institutions were imposing the maximum possible fee for every course in September – up from half in 2013.

Professor Tim Wheeler, vice-chancellor of the University of Chester which is working in collaboration with Shropshire Council in running the university, said: "Fees will follow the standard model operated my most Universities in the UK, with fees for undergraduate courses at £9,000 per year.

"Fees do not need to be paid upfront and a range of student loans and financial support is available. We will also be offering bursaries and scholarships."

But postgraduates fees will vary depending on a number of factors, he said.

The National Union of Students have blamed fee hikes on competition between universities and say nearly all institutions now charge the full fees.

An NUS spokesperson said: "This is one of the problems that has arisen as a result of the marketisation of education.

"Competition between universities has driven up fee prices and the whole system of sticker price tuition fees means that education is seen as a financial transaction rather than a collaborative learning process that has value to students and society that extends way beyond the financial value of a degree certificate.

"The government needs to stop the marketisation of universities that is of no benefit to students or society."

Students at Shropshire's new university will have 19 courses to choose from when it opens its doors next year.

They include subjects as wide ranging as applied psychology, medical genetics and sport management - which will be taught from the Guildhall in Frankwell.

A full list of undergraduate courses at the university in Shrewsbury are listed on the university's website.

While information on finances is being added to the University Centre Shrewsbury website, financial advice is available on the University of Chester website, where many of the same details apply: http://you.chester.ac.uk/money-matters

Anyone with any queries about fees and finance can email: enquiries@ucshrewsbury.co.uk or call (01244) 512800.

The university could potentially create thousands of jobs.

The institution will be in partnership with the University of Chester, but the hope is that it will become "free standing" over time.