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Gabbitas Polls – Tuition Fees – 12/07/11

 A recent Gabbitas poll indicates that opinions about University tuition fees are divided, and that many people disagree with the policy of introducing fees of £9,000 a year. Visitors to the Gabbitas online poll were asked, “What would you be prepared to pay for a degree?”

Some 38% of respondents answered that university education should be free, 27% said they are prepared to pay up to £10,000 and 12% were prepared to pay between £10,000 and £20,000. 16% indicated they favoured tuition fees of over £20,000.

Other respondents’ views reflect the level of interest in the issue of tuition fee rises. One visitor suggested that a blanket fee increase does not take account of the benefit to society of different degree subjects:

‘Fees should be greater where degrees are less important to society e.g. media studies and sports management. Government support should be given for degrees which contribute to the wellbeing and commercial success of the country.’

A tuition fee refund, as an incentive to students’ academic performance, was proposed by another visitor:

‘Making a charge should deter students from using the system as a means of … avoiding working. Perhaps when and if a student is successful and [has] obtained a defined qualification after his/her term at university, some form of refund could be made.’

Gabbitas conducts a number of polls throughout the year. If you would like to contribute your views, please visit Independent Schools website.