Welsh uni tuition fees set at 4 thousand

The National Assembly's set the limit for university tuition fees in Wales to £4,000 per year - rather than the previously quoted figure of £6,000.

Education Minister Leighton Andrews has confirmed universities will face a cap on the amount they charge their students - unless they submit a formal application to lift the restriction.

The news has been welcomed by NUS Wales president Kate Dalton.

She says: "We welcome the minister's decision to set the basic tuition fee level at £4,000 rather than £6,000, as we made strong representations that no institution has the right to automatically double their tuition fees.

"However, let us be absolutely clear that this basic level is utterly pointless if institutions are easily allowed to charge above the basic level.

"The fee plan system must demand that institutions meet ambitious widening access targets, commit to delivering comprehensive information for students and take concrete steps to secure an excellent student experience before any of them can charge above £4,000 per year.''

The National Assembly's announcement about the basic fees for Welsh universities comes after the UK Government set its minimum and maximum tuition charges last December to £6,000 and £9,000 respectively.

Mr Andrews said: `"The decision to set the basic fee level at #4,000 reflects the importance the Welsh Assembly Government places on the contribution which higher education makes to social justice.''

It's expected that the changes will come into force for Welsh students starting new courses from September 2012.