Value for money as a student

To get a sense of value for money it’s important to know what universities and colleges can charge in tuition fees and the other costs.

Fees

Universities and colleges can charge fees between a lower basic amount and a higher amount. Broadly, for 2024-25, they can charge fees between:

• £6,000 and £9,250 for each year of full-time study
• £4,500 and £6,935 for part-time students
• £7,200 and £11,100 for students doing accelerated degrees.

What a university or college can charge depends on a variety of factors. For example, it will be allowed to charge more if it:

• produces an Access and Participation Plan
• participates in the Teaching Excellence Framework

The government sets these fee limits, and they may change from year to year. In autumn 2025 they are due to rise by 3.1% (subject to parliamentary approval).

Other costs

Under consumer protection law, universities and colleges must give students clear, accurate and timely information about their course.

In the Competition and Markets Authority's view, this should include the total costs of a course, including fees and extra fees such as field trips, lab equipment or studio/bench fees.

How do universities and colleges spend fees?

Any university or college which is registered with the OfS must be transparent about how they deliver value for money.

One way they can do this is by publishing clear information about how they ensure value for money. This might mean that they publish information on their income and expenditure.

Where universities and colleges charge fees at the higher level, they must also develop an 'access and participation plan', which we approve. These plans explain how the university or college will use the extra income to improve equal opportunities.