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The Impact of the Rise in Tuition Fees on Leventhorpe Students Completing Their A Levels
Issued Date	03-October-2011
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Marianne Thurgood [Article amended 04.10.2011] Everyone has heard about the rise in tuition fees that will affect students hoping to start their degrees in 2012, but how much of an impact does it have on students? I spoke to some students in the final year of their A-Levels at Leventhorpe, to find out what effect the higher tuition fees have really had. Last year, the highest tuition fees were £3,290 per year. That meant that a three year undergraduate degree would set you back £9,870. Under the coalition’s reforms, with the cap on tuition fees now set at £9,000 per year, and 58% of universities charging that maximum amount for at least some courses, the majority of this year’s students will need almost triple that amount. The figures do not include rent, food, clothing, books, gas bills, electricity bills, water bills or mobile phone bills, and as living costs rise, many students are beginning to wonder whether the debt one acquires while studying is worth a slightly higher salary, should you find work when you graduate. It is worth noting, however, that graduates do not have to begin repaying any loans until they earn £21,000 a year, and even then the repayments are proportional to their salary. If the debt is not paid off after 30 years, it is written off. Someone whose plans have been turned upside down by the fees is Olivia Duffield, 17. She has decided against university altogether, and is taking a less conventional route to getting where she wants to be. “I’m not going to university. People go there to gain independence, and that’s something I’ve already got. I work, earn all my own money, and study three A-Levels at the same time. “For me, university would be a waste of time and money. I’d rather work my way up in business than spend £9,000 a year on education when I could be earning more than that as a school leaver, and without accumulating debt. “If the tuition fees hadn’t risen I might feel differently; I’m aware that university graduates generally earn higher salaries, but I just don’t see the value in being buried in debt when I could be out earning money. “That’s why I’m enrolling in a 24-week business course. It guarantees me a job at the end, so I’ll be out in the real world getting experience in the working environment whilst my peers sit in lecture theatres and watch their debt grow and grow.” Tom Reeks, 17, is still undecided about his future. “I’m going to apply to university, but I’m not sure whether I’ll actually go – I suppose you could say I’m covering all bases. If I decide not to go, I’ll look at converting the part-time job I have now into a full-time one. “I’m put off because university is a big commitment in terms of money and time. I’m not sure if the debt I’ll get into will be worthwhile, even though the payback scheme seems quite fair. The way it is linked to your earnings, not the size of the loan, will mean the repayments won’t impact much on my income. “I’m still undecided but the fees are certainly extortionate, and full-time work does seem quite appealing.” Another student who has doubted the value of university education, Charlie Wright, 17, speaks about the difficult choice he has had to make as a result of the rise in fees. “When I first heard about the higher tuition fees I was unsure whether I would go to university,” he explains. “For a long time I considered a part time college course in plumbing and carpentry, but more recently I’ve realised that I shouldn’t need to worry so much [about the fees]. I’m planning to study Accounting & Business at Plymouth. I still think it’s unfair that I should have to pay so much for my education when other places, like colleges, offer it for free, but in my case I think getting a degree is worth it. “It depends on the individual and their work ethic as to whether university is worth the time and money, but if you have the right attitude and a good degree you could turn out very successful. Good employers will always value a degree. “Unfortunately I think I’ll have to skimp on money for going out, my education will definitely come first, given the cost of studying!” On the contrary, the plans of another high-aiming English Literature student, Ben Redwood, 17, have not been affected at all by the rise in costs. “I always saw myself going into higher education – I love learning for learning’s sake – and I am not going to let some higher fees thwart my plans. “I’ve had my heart set on Cambridge University for a while and would love to study there, but I’m also looking at other ‘Russell Group’ universities like UCL, York and Warwick; all of them charge top-end fees. “I don’t doubt that the change from living off my parents’ collective salary to a student loan will be noticeable – perhaps I will have to ask a little help from my parents or just not go out every single night – but I’ll be able to get by, just like everyone else. “In seriousness, though, very little has actually changed in my opinion. The repayments are proportional to my salary, so the only thing that changes is the length of time I will have the debt hanging over me. The high-standard qualification I’ll get at the end will enable me to get a better job than those without a degree, therefore I’ll have no trouble paying it back. I don’t see what all the fuss is about.” So it seems that Leventhorpe students are divided on the issue. To some, the high tuition fees are seen as little more than a minor inconvenience. Their ambitious desire to learn, better themselves and get far in life is too powerful to be majorly affected by any government reforms. There is a great awareness that employers will favour candidates with a degree, so most are willing to pay the increased costs as they see how the money will pay itself back in the long-term. For others, the prospect of over £30,000 of debt stands as a brick wall between them and university. Opting to leap straight into work seems more practical and sensible in some students’ eyes. However, with top law firms and investment companies offering graduate starting salaries of over £30,000, and graduates generally earning more over a lifetime than those with no degree, it is difficult to conclude that a university education has lost its value. By Marianne Thurgood, a year 13 student at Leventhorpe. I am currently studying English Literature, Maths, Spanish and Politics and hope to begin a Linguistics degree September 2012. To contact the author and for further information about this article please contact. The Leventhorpe School. Cambridge Road Sawbridgeworth CM21 9BY; Phone: 01279 836633 Disclaimer: We do not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the content of externally supplied Articles published on these pages.All responsibility for the application of any information taken from these Articles is wholly upon and at the discretion of the individual or organisation choosing to use it.

AFTER SCHOOL KARATE...SUCCESS IN S'BRIDGEWORTH
Issued Date	08-January-2012
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AFTER SCHOOL KARATE PAY AS YOU GO KARATE - A SUCCESS IN HERTFORD & SAWBRIDGEWORTH “I am certain that for many we are now the activity of choice” Forty students from Impact Karate Academy, based in Hertford and Sawbridgeworth, graded at John Warner Sports Centre in Hoddesdon on Sunday the 18th December 2011 - with all students passing their respective examinations. The academy which was initially founded in October 2010 by Sensei Grant Nicholls has seen unbelievable growth since its formation and now has approximately sixty active members, both adults and children, at their Hertford and Sawbridgeworth Dojos. Sensei Grant said “I cannot believe how we have grown in the last year, at our first grading in February we had eight students grading - I can only put our success down to good quality training, fair prices and a friendly environment for both children and their parents. I am certain that for many we are now the activity of choice. Our karate academy is of real benefit to the community and the communities concerned have embraced karate as an alternative to the more traditional sports”. Impact Karate Academy, which is affiliated to the British Karate Association, train at Pinehurst Community Centre Hertford on a Monday, Sawbridgeworth Memorial Hall on a Wednesday and Leventhorpe Leisure Centre Sawbridgeworth on a Saturday morning. For further information Sensei Grant can be contacted on 07587-234320.