University of Sunderland welcomes tuition fee increase but says uncertainty about funding remains
Written by Katie Higson on 24th October 2025
Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell has described the Government’s plans to raise tuition fees and maintenance loans in line with inflation as “very welcome” — but warned that other funding pressures could offset the benefit.
The University of Sunderland has welcomed planned changes to university funding in England but says uncertainty remains over how other government policies will affect higher education.
In October 2025, the Government announced plans to increase both tuition fees and maintenance loans in line with inflation from 2026. The decision was made by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who is also the MP for Houghton and Sunderland South.
According to the BBC, “the exact amount students will be charged is unknown at the moment, as it depends on what the rate of inflation is. If it was done at the current rate, fees would rise by approximately £400 a year, to over £9,900.”
(Credits: graph created on Canvas by Katie Higson, statistics from UK parliament House of Commons Library website November 2025)
The University of Sunderland’s Vice-Chancellor, Sir David Bell, stated:
“The uplift in the home student tuition fee announced in the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper was very welcome as that will help us to maintain the high-quality student and staff experience that characterises the University of Sunderland.
But there is uncertainty too; for example, the significant impact of the proposed levy on our international student income and other changes announced over the past year such as the rise in employers’ National Insurance contributions which will cost us a recurring £2m a year.”
The Vice-Chancellor was referring to the proposed 6% surcharge on tuition fees paid by overseas students outlined in a recent Home Office consultation, and to measures in the 2024 Autumn Budget that increased the rate of employer National Insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15%.
Meanwhile, North East student unions have expressed concern that rising fees could worsen the financial strain on students.
Mary Udeze, President of Northumbria Students’ Union, said: “The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on students has been significant, and an increase in fees will only exacerbate the financial challenges they already face. In the past 12 months over 400 students have accessed our free food pantry; students should be able to pursue higher education without sacrificing their ability to afford basic necessities.”
She added:”While we welcome the news that maintenance loans will also increase in line with inflation, where they haven’t previously, we know this won’t be enough. Students from widening participation backgrounds are more vulnerable to these pressures, and we are seeing growing demand for support services, including mental health resources…We urge the Government to ensure that higher education remains accessible, supportive, and poverty-proofed for all.”
Northumbria Students’ Union said it remains committed to “delivering support services that help students not just survive but thrive.”
