UK to raise university tuition fees in line with inflation amid financial stability measures

The UK government has announced that university tuition fees will increase annually in line with inflation from 2025/26, aiming to balance university funding, quality standards, and student support amid ongoing reforms.

The UK government has confirmed that university tuition fees will increase in line with inflation over the next two academic years, starting from 2025/26. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced the rise in a Commons statement, noting that tuition fees will approach nearly £10,000, with the precise amount dependent on inflation rates, which may fluctuate. This change means that both new and existing students will face higher fees, likely adding several hundred pounds annually to their costs.

The Department for Education explained that the inflation-linked rise in tuition fee caps aims to support universities’ financial stability. Around 43% of institutions are projected to run deficits without intervention, according to the Office for Students (OfS). The government plans to introduce legislation, when parliamentary time permits, to enable automatic future annual increases aligned with inflation. However, this will be conditional on universities meeting stringent quality standards set by the OfS. Institutions failing to reach these standards could face restrictions on fee levels and other regulatory and financial consequences.

The fee cap for full-time undergraduate courses will increase by 3.1% to £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year. For accelerated courses, fees will rise to £11,440, while part-time courses will have a maximum fee of £7,145. These adjustments reflect an effort to address longstanding financial pressures from a seven-year freeze in tuition fee caps. In parallel, maintenance loans will also increase automatically each year, with the largest cash boosts targeted at students from the lowest-income households. Additionally, targeted maintenance grants are set to be reintroduced, aiming to ease the living cost burdens on students.

Bridget Phillipson emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring universities deliver value for money and high educational standards as justification for the reforms. She said, “Universities charge significant fees for their courses. If they are going to charge the maximum, it is right that they deliver the world-class education students expect.” This move aligns with broader government initiatives to raise academic quality and align higher education outputs with economic needs, ensuring that courses provide relevant skills that support national growth.

These financial reforms come on the back of a continued focus by the government on students’ welfare and the sustainability of higher education institutions. For example, in early 2023, additional hardship funding was allocated to help students facing cost-of-living pressures, while student loan interest rates have been frozen to reduce repayment burdens. Meanwhile, policies to regulate low-performing courses and prevent “rip-off degrees” ensure that public funding is directed towards quality education with strong employment prospects.

Alongside these immediate fee changes, the government is also transforming the broader student finance landscape. The Lifelong Learning Entitlement, now law, will offer adults access to flexible funding over their working life to support upskilling and retraining, addressing skill gaps and promoting lifelong education. These measures collectively reflect a structural effort to modernise and stabilise the higher education sector, balancing financial viability, student support, and academic excellence.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative is based on a recent press release from the UK government, dated 4 November 2024, announcing the tuition fee increase for the 2025/26 academic year. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/higher-education-reform-to-back-opportunity-and-protect-students?utm_source=openai)) This indicates high freshness, as the information is current and directly sourced from an official government announcement.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
The direct quote from Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, “Universities charge significant fees for their courses. If they are going to charge the maximum, it is right that they deliver the world-class education students expect,” is consistent across multiple reputable sources, including the UK government’s official press release. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/higher-education-reform-to-back-opportunity-and-protect-students?utm_source=openai)) This consistency suggests the quote is accurately attributed and not fabricated.

Source reliability

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative originates from the Liverpool Echo, a reputable UK news outlet, and references official government publications and statements. The inclusion of direct quotes from Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson further enhances the credibility of the information presented.

Plausability check

Score:
10

Notes:
The reported increase in tuition fees aligns with the UK government’s official announcement on 4 November 2024, confirming the rise to £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/higher-education-reform-to-back-opportunity-and-protect-students?utm_source=openai)) The narrative also accurately reflects the government’s rationale for the fee increase, citing financial pressures on universities and the need to ensure quality education. The inclusion of maintenance loan increases and the government’s commitment to quality standards further corroborate the plausibility of the claims.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is based on a recent and official government announcement regarding the increase in university tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year. The information is consistent with multiple reputable sources, including direct quotes from Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. There are no indications of recycled content, disinformation, or significant discrepancies, leading to a high confidence in the accuracy and reliability of the report.