The action, organised by the NUS in collaboration with students’ unions from the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University also calls for a fair alternative which will not price out poorer students, will involve music, speeches and street performance theatre, before moving on to a debate at Sheffield Town Hall at 7pm.
Local students are taking action as NUS highlights the lack of opportunities open to many young people in some areas of the city:
- Fewer than one in ten from the Sheffield Brightside constituency goes on to attend university, compared to over six in ten from the Sheffield Hallam constituency;
- It is no coincidence that 72% of Sheffield Brightside residents are from lower socio-economic backgrounds, compared to just 30% of Sheffield Hallam residents.
Even if a poorer student does manage to make it to university, they are still likely to experience inequality:
- The University of Sheffield, with just 21% of its students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, is able to spend over £5,700 on each student per year;
- Sheffield Hallam University, with over 95% of its students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, is only able to spend under £3,500 on each student per year.
NUS President Wes Streeting said:
“Students in Sheffield are taking a stand today because the current university system is failing many young people in this city and across the country.
“At the moment, the average student will graduate with £20,000 of debt. This year’s review of higher education funding will consider pushing fees even higher. This would mean that the most prestigious institutions would be able to charge more than others, pricing out poorer students and worsening the inequality that already exists.
“NUS believes that a university education should be free at the point of use, with graduates giving back to the system depending on how much they earn. Our 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.”
Paul Tobin, President of University of Sheffield Union of Students, said:
“Students make a valuable contribution to the local community in Sheffield, as well as bringing £120million into the local economy. This would be put in jeopardy if fees became even higher and students were priced out of the higher education market.”
Dani Beckett, President of Sheffield Hallam University Union of Students, said:
“Some vice chancellors are calling for students and their parents to pay £15,000 or more for a degree. This is an issue which affects everyone.”
Monday’s student action is part of a series of NUS events, which will see protests and debates in 10 cities across England during October, November and December.
The Sheffield Town Hall debate will take place between 7 and 9pm on Monday. Speakers include Wes Streeting, President, NUS; Paul Blomfield - Parliamentary Candidate for Sheffield Central (Labour); Dr Spencer Pitfield – Parliamentary Candidate for Penistone and Stocksbridge (Conservative); and Paul Scriven - Leader of Sheffield City Council (Liberal Democrat).
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