Introducing the University Fee Reduction Campaign (UFRC).
The UFRC is simple: Campaign to the Department for Education to reduce university fees by 25%, for home students who have studied this academic year solely online due to Covid-19.
Why?
The UK Governments response to Covid-19 has caused major disputation to our everyday lives. After encountering students to return to campus, students find themselves forcibly quarantined with poor nutrition, little to no support and a small window of time for when they are allowed to return back home. On top of this the Department for Education has stated that the “Government is not considering a temporary change to fee limits, or a programme of refunds” despite severe disruption to our education and a great move to online learning. The Government still expects students to pay the full £9,250 fee even if they have not set foot on university campus once this academic year and are being taught solely online. This is not good enough.
25% reduction for home students taught entirely online.
What the UFRC is campaigning for:
I am asking the Department for Education to reduce the fee for which HEPs can charge home students by 25%. To make the demands for the campaign more reasonable, I have set out a criteria which needs to be met in order for the student to qualify for this reduced fee:
1) The student is a Home Student enrolled at a UK HEP
2) The advertised mode of teaching for the course was on-campus, in-person
3) The course is now being completed solely online whether the student is living at university accommodation or not
The Governments Response So Far
On 30th October 2020, the Department for Education responded to a UK Government and Parliament Petition to ‘Lower university tuition fees for students until online teaching ends’. In their response, the D for E washed their hands clean of any responsibility they have towards students in Higher Education stating “Universities are responsible for setting their own fees. Any lowering of fees would be their decision. Government is not considering a temporary change to fee limits, or a programme of refunds.”
The Government recognises that “HEPs must deliver well-designed courses that provide a high-quality academic experience, and enable students’ achievement to be reliably assessed…we expect HEPs to ensure that they are delivering courses that are fit for purpose and are helping students’ progress towards their qualifications.”
I believe the Department for Education’s response is inadequate to the unprecedented impact Covid-19 has had on Higher Education. The Prime Minister himself has stated “this country is at war with coronavirus”, yet the Department for Education allows HEP institutions to continue to set almost 5 figure fees for teaching that has been delivered solely online.
How you can help
Contact the Department for Education via email, telephone or social media to raise awareness of the UFRC and put pressure on Higher Education Providers to reduce tuition fees.
Email them this PDF with the Subject: UFRC at dfe.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Call them on: 0370 000 2288
Or contact them via social media:
https://www.facebook.com/educationgovuk
https://twitter.com/educationgovuk
https://www.instagram.com/educationgovuk/
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Munia