FREE
Issue 403
Published every 3rd Tuesday of the month.
15/10/24
Online: concreteuea.co.uk Instagram: @concreteuea TikTok: @concrete92
OPINION: Return of the Clap Rising STI cases amoungst Students
Page 15
INTERVIEW:
Clive Lewis MP
“Every Month is Black History
Page 16
TV: Gilmore Girls - The Perfect Autumn Show
Month”
Venue: Page 10
Tuition Fees Set to Soar by 13.5% Students could face fees of £10,500 by 2029 under government plans to bolster struggling universities.
zen tuition fees. With the current £9,250 fee failing to Co-Editor-In-Chief keep pace with inflation, universities have seen their inUniversity tuition fees in Eng- come steadily eroded, with the land and Wales are set to rise current rate worth just over with inflation, reaching up to £6,000 in real terms in 2024. £10,500 within five years, under new government plans to To mitigate the impact on address the financial woes of the poorest students, governthe higher education sector. ment ministers are considering reintroducing maintenance The move, which would mark grants, which were scrapped the first increase since 2017, by the Conservatives in 2016. has sparked concerns about affordability for students already These grants (which do not facing a cost of living crisis. have to be re-paid), previously worth up to £3,500, could offer The new Labour government, vital financial support to those having inherited a system de- from low-income backgrounds. scribed by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson as the “worst The proposals, currently unof all worlds”, is grappling with der discussion between minthe long-term impact of fro- isters, would see fees rise by
Jamie Bryson
13.5% over the next five years. port will inform discussions is not sustainable, however Any final decision will re- with Government. The Sec- it is a shame to see that the quire approval from Chan- retary of state has also said costs to rectify the probcellor Rachel Reeves, with an that she recognises that the lems are rumoured to be put announcement expected be- value of fees has fallen over onto students as opposed to fore the government’s spend- recent years which places the government re-evaluating review in April next year. great pressure on Universi- ing the current structure.” ties and while there has been Asked to comment on no policy announcement Nathan Wyatt, Welfare, Comthe situation, UEA’s from Government on this munity and Diversity Officer Vice-Chancellor Prof Da- yet – this is a debate that is at UEA SU adds, “It is a shame vid Maguire told Concrete: long overdue. I’ve said that that, despite a change in parfees need to be index linked ty, the government remains as “On 30 September, Universities to inflation and of course anti-student as it always has UK launched their blueprint there should also be support been. It is terrible that students for change, in its report ‘Op- for students less able to pay.” will be forced to bear the burportunity, growth and partden of these costs. We need a nership’. It calls for the UK Rebekah Temple-Fielder, system that isn’t reliant on tuigovernment to stabilise the UEA SU Officer for Under- tion fees, and we need it now.” sector’s finances and increase graduate Education reflected: direct public funding in EngAs the government weighs land so the cost of University is “In my opinion it is evident its options, students face the balanced towards government that the current funding prospect of increased debt ... instead of students. The re- structure for universities (continued on page 4...)
UEA Faces Lowest League Table Results in 18 Years UEA are the opportunities avail- both, and addition of the People able it provides, “UEA will help and Planets rankings. However, News Editor you develop valuable employ- it is important to highlight areas UEA has received its lowest rating in ability and life skills by offer- across both surveys where denearly two decades in two highly re- ing courses that can be taken spite our overall ranking we still garded UK University League Tables. with a placement or internship.” scored higher than numerous The Times also note a large pos- Russell groups, such as teaching Dropping 7 places in The Times itive of the University that “place- quality and student experience.” rating, putting UEA at 33rd, this ment years, study abroad and founis the first time in 14 years UEA dation years [...] are being added In response to the news, UEA’s has been placed out of the top 30s. to a range of courses” amidst, Vice-Chancellor Prof David “more than ten degrees closing”. Maguire told Concrete: “We are The Times says, “in the Graduate Out- The Guardian place UEA from always pushing for improvement comes survey, which tracks how many 27th in 2023 to 45th currently. \ and we’re very proud of the excelstudents have moved on to highly The Guardian rating for the Uni lent experience, teaching and outskilled jobs or postgraduate courses has fallen from 72 to 59 since 2023. comes we deliver for our students. We understand that there are within 15 months of finishing their Rebekah Temple-Fielder, UEA fluctuations in rankings, weightdegree, UEA has fallen two places. SU Officer for Undergradu- ed on a wide range of measures. The Complete University Guide ate Education told Concrete: Maintaining a strong position in key league tables is an imporalso noted a lack of graduate pros“It is unfortunate to see the change tant part of our Strategy 2030. pects but an increase in student of the rankings of The Guardsatisfaction putting the rating up from 27th in 2023 to 21st currently. ian and Times, which is likely The University is noted by The They say the key bonuses of the due to the changing criteria for Times to be succeeding in other
Anna Johnson
Image Credit: UEA
places. A triple silver rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023) highlighted the university’s “outstanding” physical and virtual learning resources “which are tailored and used effectively to
support teaching and learning.” You can find out more about the league tables discussed, including about specific subject area ratings, on their respective websites.