StudentMediaWire

More than a third of applicants are choosing their university according to their personal finances, a new report reveals.

A survey conducted by the UK Youth Parliament has found 36% of young people are choosing courses because they are cheap or because they can live at home while they attend.

In addition, 64% say that the current UK recession will affect their ability to finance their time at university, with most citing reasons of parental job losses, restricted family income and difficulties in finding part time jobs.

The figures are revealed as the UK Youth Parliament calls for the abolition of tuition fees.

James Greenhalgh, organisation member, said: “The current economic climate, coupled with crippling tuition fees is disastrous for the future of higher education. Students should feel able to choose the courses or universities that they are best suited to, not feel forced into opting for bargain bucket courses to save money.

“Many students and prospective students are going to struggle even more as a result of the recession. Just like everyone else, their incomes will be squeezed and things are going to be tough; support is being offered to pensioners, to business, the banks, to those struggling with mortgages – pretty much everyone. But not students.”

The survey also found that 95% of young people oppose the government lifting the current cap on university tuition fees.

David Blunkett MP said: “Whilst it’s clear that no government is going to pull the financial plug on the university sector by simply abolishing fees, it would at this time of global financial downturn be unacceptable to lift the cap and have a free-for-all across universities.”

Further information: UK Youth Parliament