University tuition fees in Wales will go up to £9,535 a year from September 2025-a rise of nearly £300. This is in line with a decision made by the UK government that fee rises at universities in England will take place this autumn. It is the second Welsh fee rise within a year. The fee is going up from £9,000 to £9,250, which takes effect in September 2024.
Minister for Further and Higher Education Vikki Howells said the decision was “tough but unavoidable” to ensure that Welsh higher education institutions compete with the best of those across the UK. She further assured that students will not face an increase in upfront fees or the monthly amount of repayments made by graduates.
Apart from the tuition fee increase, the Welsh government stated that it will raise maintenance support for undergraduate students by 1.6%, which will be an equivalent increase for postgraduate students, students with dependents, and those with disabilities to ease the financial burden on students.
The increase in tuition fees has been met with mixed reactions. Sophia, a 16-year-old student from Swansea, expressed concerns that rising fees could deter students from attending university, particularly those from families already struggling financially. “Parents struggle with money as it is, and this will add extra pressure,” she said, emphasizing that the increase could lead to students taking on additional jobs to afford their education, which may discourage some from pursuing higher education.
Similarly, 17-year-old Ella, from Swansea, is not sure how she will manage to balance tuition fees with part-time work but remains keen to continue further education before joining the workforce. Political figures have also voiced their opinion about the fee rise. Cefin Campbell, the education spokesperson of Plaid Cymru, described the rise as a burden for students, meaning they would take more debt. Tom Giffard, Welsh Conservative’s education spokesperson, described that it will demote the urge to pursue higher education since fewer people enroll in higher institutions.
Universities Wales said the increased funding would prove crucial to Welsh universities, which strongly contribute to the country’s towns and villages. The University and College Union (UCU), also on board with additional funds, has urged a wider reform of the UK funding system to tackle the intractable challenges higher education faces.
