FE News’ Post

With rising tuition fees, university marketing teams are facing a new challenge: how can they continue to attract students without letting affordability become a major barrier? The reality is the increase in fees is only £285 – so not as big as some institutions would have hoped for or desperately needed. But this increase may not be a one-off – it could set a new precedent for the future and be the start of more fee hikes. So, what does this mean for your marketing strategy? How can you navigate this shift and ensure students still see the value in higher education, even as costs climb? Here’s where your messaging can make all the difference: 1. Make financial support visible Affordability isn’t just about tuition fees. Highlight financial aid, scholarships, and support options clearly in your marketing to reassure students and show your commitment to access for all. 2. Emphasise value over cost Students are increasingly focused on the return on their educational investment. Highlight employability, industry connections, and unique experiences to show why the value of your institution outweighs the cost. 3. Engage and reassure parents Parents play a key role in decision-making, so don’t overlook them. Address their concerns about long-term value, career prospects, return on investment, and student support to build trust and confidence in your institution. Right now, the conversation around university feels stuck on price tags and not on outcomes. So, let’s shift the narrative.   What do you think? #HEMarketing #HigherEducationMarketing #HigherEducation #UniversityFees https://lnkd.in/eEdcQAwY

News Spotlight No. 9: Hold on tight, students—this year is officially the cheapest year of your education! That’s right, it’s finally happening: universities are increasing their tuition fees by 3%. As someone who’s been both a student loan-burdened graduate and an educator working within the system, I see both sides of the coin. 💼 The Student Perspective: Starting your career £50k in debt isn’t easy, and now that figure will only grow. University was never cheap, and this rise will be felt by many. 🏫 The University Perspective: With skyrocketing utility bills and increasing pressure to ensure fair wages during a cost-of-living crisis, institutions are left scrambling to make ends meet. So, where does that leave us? It's a tough balance between quality education and affordability, and it’s a conversation we’ll be navigating together in the months ahead. What are your thoughts? Share your experiences below! 👇 Let's keep the conversation going. #HigherEducation #TuitionFees #StudentDebt #CostOfLiving #EducationMatters #Education

🎓 Higher education in England faces major financial challenges, new Office for Students report reveals: 💷 40% at risk of cash crisis 📊 72% of universities could face deficit by 2025-26 🌍 International student applications down 16% 📉 £3.4B projected sector-wide income reduction 🚨 Universities are taking action, but "bold and transformative" measures needed to secure future sustainability. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eZEFGVJT #HigherEducation #Universities #OfS

🎓 Higher education in England faces major financial challenges, new Office for Students report reveals: 💷 40% at risk of cash crisis 📊 72% of universities could face deficit by 2025-26 🌍 International student applications down 16% 📉 £3.4B projected sector-wide income reduction 🚨 Universities are taking action, but "bold and transformative" measures needed to secure future sustainability. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/exwq_Quu #HigherEducation #Universities #OfS

📢 Read all about it! How do 163,000 students utilise funding issued via universities? Our 23/24 report uncovers key insights into spending habits and the financial challenges faced by students today. 📝 Dive into the findings, as featured by Wonkhe, here: https://lnkd.in/eZPgvSmv Share your thoughts below—what stood out to you the most?" #PaymentsWithPurpose Payit™

Fascinating insight into how students are using their funds. Understanding this data will help Universities more effectively target the delivery of student support. #PaymentsWithPurpose

It was announced this week that domestic university tuition fees will rise next year. This will be a welcome boost to the sector, with universities suffering from a financial crisis. However, with the increase to Employers NI, will universities be in an overall better or worse position next year? Will the rise put off some prospective students from attending university? At PACT Solutions, we’re committed to working with our partners in higher education to help reduce overall costs with more efficient and effective digital solutions to ensure students have an enriching, supportive experience despite these financial changes. Let’s come together to shape solutions that deliver, high-quality education. Read more on the announcement here: https://lnkd.in/etPNrpD4 #HigherEducation #UKUniversities #TuitionFees #PACTSolutions

With tuition fees on the rise, the financial landscape for students in the UK has become even more challenging. But beyond the headline-grabbing tuition fee raise last week, there’s another crucial financial gap affecting students: maintenance loans. The real value of these loans has dwindled, creating a wider gap between what students need to live and what they actually receive. This discrepancy impacts students’ ability to cover essentials, focus on studies, and fully engage in university life without additional financial strain. It’s a pressing issue that speaks to more than just numbers—it’s about ensuring equitable access to higher education. I’ve included a chart below from a Universities UK article to illustrate this point, showing just how stark the shortfall has become. What are your thoughts on this challenge for students today? Read the full Universities UK article here: https://lnkd.in/ePYxQ3Ky

Tuition fees on the rise: what it means for future students and the silver lining ahead.. Tuition fees are set to rise for the first time in eight years, impacting students starting after April 2025, mainly those beginning in September 2025 and beyond. Avoiding political debate, it’s important to note that tuition fee changes don’t impact the monthly repayment amount for graduates, only how long they will be repaying - either up to 40 years until the loan is wiped or less if paid off earlier. Currently, only 52% of students in the current system are projected to repay their loans in full before they’re wiped, and higher fees could reduce that percentage even further. The silver lining? Maintenance loans, which are essential for most students and have been overdue for an increase, will see a more significant rise than tuition fees. It’s promising to see more attention on student access, but there’s still work to do. Preserving and strengthening essential programmes like Uni Connect (which has been subject to huge cuts) is crucial to prevent the access gap from widening.

Disgraceful that the BBC imply university fees would be £12,000-13,000 per year (rather than the currently capped £9,250) if the fees kept up with inflation since 2017. Did they forget that the fees jumped from £3,500 to £9,250 when Tories and Lib Dem’s had a coalition? So probably £5,500 is a more accurate figure… just a mere £3,750 per year less that it CURRENTLY is 🤯 University is quickly becoming a national scam, and national scandal. Students of today borrowing to fund learning will be laden with debt for 30+ years as the interest rate on that debt is 7-8%. With most students borrowing (at least) £30,000-40,000, even a high paying job is not enough to cover the interest payments alone under the current schemes and hence many students see their student debt simply grow out of control. Are students being preyed on as naive easy meat here? Is paying your student loan off a pipe dream to most students these days? I’m thankful that I paid my student loan many years ago but as a dad to a daughter that may want to eventually go to uni, and knowing many people that currently study, I feel deeply frustrated and annoyed for the students of today that have to choose between 1) not getting educated to maximum potential or 2) a debt mess for 30+ years often with no guaranteed job at the end of it. What a mess. https://lnkd.in/evPf2HRg