Browne Jacobson comments on the government's announcement of tuition fee rises
Commenting on the government's announcement that university tuition fees for students in England will rise by 3.1% to £9,535 from the 2025/26 academic year, Nathalie Jacoby-Danesh, Partner in the higher education team at UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson, said: “Raising tuition fees in line with inflation has been one of the biggest government policy priorities for universities as they continue to grapple with significant financial pressures resulting from a cocktail of high inflation, frozen fees and falling student numbers.
“While the Education Secretary’s promise to finally raise fees for the first time in a decade, together with a modest increase in maintenance grants, is welcome, the new amount fails to plug the gap with higher education costs, which is estimated at about £12,500 per student.
“Therefore, universities must continue their drive to maximise their own assets. Success in commercialising research rests upon the development of an innovation lifecycle strategy that is aligned with research strengths, ensures intellectual property is effectively recorded and protected, while keeping an open mind on the best routes to monetising knowledge.
“We expect closer collaborations between institutions to take place, ranging from shared services to formal mergers. We would anticipate institutions to collaborate increasingly in large metropolitan areas or regions across the tertiary sector, or along subject specialism lines.
“With an estimated 40% of higher education institutions to be in budget deficit in 2023/24, restructuring could also become necessary in some cases.
“It will be vital that universities are proactive in their communications with students to offset any impact this could have on their mental wellbeing. Today’s publication by HEPI showed that one-third of students worry about the financial health of their university.
“At the same time, universities need to be attuned to rising fees creating increased student expectations. It’s vital that universities ensure now that student contracts are aligned with CMA guidance and OfS requirements regarding consumer protections.”
Discover more
Related expertise
You may be interested in...
Online Event
EdCon 2025
Press Release
Browne Jacobson comments on the government's announcement of tuition fee rises
Legal Update - Be Connected (higher education)
Be Connected: Higher education Autumn 2024
Published Article
The pressure on western universities to divest in fossil fuels: Navigating legal complexities and environmental responsibilities
Legal Update
Working together to support student wellbeing
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Procurement Act delay: What’s the impact for higher education institutions?
Legal Update
Ten practical tips for universities handling judicial review cases
Legal Update
What the UK Covid-19 Inquiry means for higher education providers
Press Release
Browne Jacobson welcomes Professor Janice Kay CBE as higher education special adviser
Press Release
Comments on the publication of Universities UK’s (UUK) report
Legal Update
The future of university regulation
Legal Update - Be Connected (higher education)
Be Connected: Higher education Summer 2024
Legal Update
Martyn’s Law and what it means for events venues and university campuses
Opinion
Court refuses group litigation order in student group COVID claims
Press Release
General election reaction from Browne Jacobson’s education team
Press Release
New resource will support university innovation
Press Release
A review by the Migration Advisory Committee into the UK’s graduate visa route for international students
Legal Update - Be Connected (higher education)
Be Connected – Higher education Spring 2024
Legal Update
Changes to the fixed recoverable costs regime
Legal Update
OFS Consultation on freedom of speech guidance
Press Release - Firm news
Three newly-qualified solicitors join Browne Jacobson’s education team
Legal Update
New leadership for our education team
Legal Update
Holiday pay: Government change clarifies treatment of term time only workers
Legal Update
Cyber-attacks in UK universities: Why failing to prepare is no longer an option
Legal Update
Updated guidance for collaborative learning delivery in higher education
Legal Update - Be Connected (higher education)
Be Connected Higher education - Winter 2024
Legal Update
Streamlined routes for subsidies
Legal Update - Building Safety Act
Do your campus buildings comply with the latest legislation?
Legal Update
Subsidy control: Guide to streamlined routes for universities
Legal Update
Climate change: what action should we take?
Legal Update
Data protection in higher education: what to expect in 2024
Legal Update
Installing EV charge points on university campuses
Legal Update
An update on the independent review of university spin-out companies
Press Release
Our education expertise recognised in latest legal directory rankings
Guide
Education sector contracts – top 10 tips on how to get it right
Legal Update - Be Connected (higher education)
Be Connected - Higher Education Autumn 2023
Legal Update
Improving support for disabled higher education students
Legal Update - PFI expiry
PFI expiry - hope for the best, plan for the worst?
Legal Update
Students claim contract breach for university disruption
