 | Higher education changes create 'huge amount of uncertainty' for students, potential for fees to change mid-degree |
| published on : 08-30-2014 |
| Category : Higher Education |
| University leaders say there is a huge amount of uncertainty around what to tell prospective students who face potential changes to course fees part-way through their degrees.
Their comments came as the Nationals Federal Council voted in support of a motion calling for changes to the Government's higher education legislation.
The Government has introduced legislation into parliament to deregulate fees from the start of 2016 but is facing an uphill battle to get its higher education reforms through the Senate.
The reforms also propose a 20 per cent cut in course funding and an increase of interest rates on student loans.
Universities across Australia are currently in the middle of Open Day season for students planning further study in 2015.
University of Sydney vice chancellor Michael Spence said students would not be targeted with high costs but cannot say how much universities will charge until the reforms are finalised.
"The purpose is not to gouge money out of students. The purpose is to be able to continue to provide a high quality education and therefore very dramatic fee increases are unlikely," he said.
"There is a huge amount of uncertainty and that for me is why the timing is quite important.
"If this is going to happen we have to get it to happen as quickly as possible so we can give certainty to parents and students and universities for that matter."
Australian Catholic University vice chancellor Greg Craven said students are being told the "situation is quite fluid and it's hard to know exactly what the fees might be".
"I can certainly guarantee they won't suffer enormous fee hikes," he said.
ACU attracts large number of nursing and teaching students who are often the first in their families to go to university and are often from low socio economic backgrounds.
Professor Craven reacted angrily to suggestions the country's top universities might scrap nursing schools which could attract lower fees than other courses.
"The present bill is very careful to make sure that nursing and education is cut by less than other areas," he said. |
| Related Keywords : |
| Higher education mid-degree University leaders |