The launch forms part of NUS’ wider ‘Come Clean’ campaign to ensure rights and protections for students, and which incorporates a week of action (Monday 12- Friday 16 March), national student walkout (Wednesday 14 March) and lobby of Parliament (Wednesday 18 April).
NUS is calling on universities and colleges to commit to full transparency prior to application on all course costs, and has called on vice chancellors to urgently commit absorb essential costs within the tuition fee, and offer means tested support for non-essentials.
The initiative was launched as new research on the hidden costs of studying, published today, shows almost a third (31 per cent) of students’ unions reported their universities as covering no additional costs such as printing, studio fees, field trips, travel to work placements and course books.
Just 23 per cent of students unions reported that their institution included printing costs in their tuition fee; 26 per cent included travel to study placements, 17 per cent included CRB checks and just 14 per cent covered ‘bench fees’*.
The Hidden Costs campaign will be rolled out by students’ unions across the county with local actions calling on vice chancellors to advertise all course costs at the point of application, cover all mandatory costs, and provide means-tested support for additional costs.
Liam Burns, NUS President said:
“Whether lab coats, field trips, printing or materials, students across the country are facing significant hidden costs attached to studying. It cannot be fair that academic success is dictated by how much disposable cash you have."
"We're calling on universities and colleges to urgently commit to absorb essential costs, offer means tested support for non-essentials, and provide complete transparency on all costs pre-application."
“The effects of mounting hidden costs puts students under additional financial pressure, leading to all sorts of issues – from having to work even more hours, sacrificing study time, spiralling into debt, and in the worst cases dropping out."
"At the same time we are also pressing the Government to come clean and admit that their reforms have delivered nothing extra for students, and with a national walkout, week of action and lobby of Parliament to come, our voices will be heard loud and clear."