Progressive graduate contribution
NUS' Blueprint proposes that students contribute to the costs of their degree once they have graduated. Under this system those who benefit most from university by earning more will contribute more.
A graduate contribution would be paid into an independent fund – a People’s Trust for higher education – which would be built up over time and eventually deliver considerable additional resources for universities in the future.
Launching the Blueprint, NUS President Wes Streeting said:
"NUS' proposals would give universities double the amount of funding they currently receive, while allowing the children of poorer families to go to university without the fear of debt. They would also prevent the emergence of a market in higher education, where only the rich could afford to attend our most prestigious universities."
Opening the debate
The Blueprint has already received much support and widespread media coverage, with the Times, Telegraph and BBC all picking up on the news.
The Guardian is currently running a poll asking people whether students should pay fees, or, as NUS proposes, contribute to their education once they are earning.
"I am excited about the vigorous debate that's about to take place - both within our membership and wider society," said Wes. "This, for me, is exactly what NUS is about: casting an argument and shaping debates that affect students."
Fair deal for all
By abolishing all up front fees for part-time students, this system would also initiate a new era for non-traditional learning and continuing education through life. We also envisage a route that allows for voluntary employer contributions, so that employers could support far more employees to study than ever before.
NUS' model also allows learners to switch between full and part-time modes of study, creating enhanced flexibility in the sector. We believe that through increasing flexibility in this way, we open the doors of higher education to a wider audience, and provides clear ways for increasing access to higher education for learners from non-traditional backgrounds.
Read our case studies to see how our system would work.
Support our campaign
If we are going to put an end to top-up fees, we need your support:
What students asked for
Below is a list of asks from students and their representatives and details on how we have delivered these demands in our model.
- Funding to match the OECD average – Through recommending the creation of the People’s Trust we have created a model that when allowed to develop to its maximum almost doubles the amount of public income going into the sector. This will have a positive impact on the UK’s ranking in the OECD;
- A structured business contribution – This model provides a clear route for business to contribute to the cost of higher education for its employees;
- That any graduate contribution should be income-contingent and linked to earnings, not prices – The system in the blueprint does just that;
- A fairer deal for part-time students based on the same principles as full-time students - This is a key tenet of the system that we have designed. Our model will mean increased flexibility for students wishing to transfer between full and part-time study – and gives part-time student equity with regards to graduate contribution.
Further information: