Students in Wales have reacted after the the Welsh Government said it would provide further financial support with tuition fees set to rise for the second time in a year.
The Welsh Government, which sets fees for Welsh universities, said this week the £9,250 cap, raised in February from £9,000, will now be hiked to £9,535 for full-time undergraduate degrees from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. It said the rise would "help ensure" Welsh universities "remain viable and competitive".
At the same time Welsh ministers confirmed a 1.6% increase to student maintenance support for eligible part-time and full-time undergraduate students from Wales, both new and continuing students, for the 2025/26 academic year. The maximum amount of support for postgraduate masters and postgraduate doctoral study will also increase by 1.6%. Grants for those with dependants and those with a disability will also increase by 1.6%.
But what does this mean for students amid already high living costs? According to The Minster for Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells: “Living costs should not be an barrier to studying at university.”
The Welsh Government offers the most generous student living costs support for full-time undergraduates in the UK, with the highest levels of non-repayable grant support provided to those most in need. Welsh students on average repay less than their English counterparts.
However, many students didn’t believe that an increase in maintenance loans would help them navigate the cost for university life. On average students WalesOnline spoke to said they spent £130 a week on groceries alone, with Welsh students acknowledging the difficulties that some of their English friends were facing.
“I know a lot of my English friends, they struggle, like they have maintenance but it barely covers [their costs], not even the rent, so they have to rely on their parents and even though they don’t want to, or don’t think they can, they have too. I think it’s a bit messy for them,” Linda said.
Ebony, 19, who studies law, agreed, saying: "I think from what I’ve gathered the Welsh student loan is enough, but I have English flatmates and they struggle because their’s is less than what we get."
This increase comes after Welsh secretary Jo Stevens announced a £1.7 billion budget increase for the Welsh Government. At the time, Stevens said the Budget “shows the difference” made when “governments work together.” The additional income then was said to go towards “substantial investments” including schools and education.
A new study by NUS Cymru found that 32% of students have less than £100 per month after paying their monthly housing costs. Research also found that 1 in 10 students use foodbanks and 32% have restricted themselves from using heating to cut back on living costs. A further 19% have missed out on a in-person lecture due to be unable to afford transportation.
Joe, 20, who studies English Language and Literature at Cardiff University, said: "You have to budget really smartly and plan all your shops and not make little purchases, because they really do build up. I notice if I get coffees or buy little snacks every now and then, you notice it starts to rack up, like spending £1,800 a week at some points. You really have to be careful and organised."
English Language and Literature student Linda, also 20, agreed and said: "I feel like it’s hard to organise. Sometimes I drop over into my overdraft, but apart from that it doesn’t really affect me because I try not spend money. I much rather stay in now rather than going out and spending my money at YOLO or something."
Commenting on maintenance increase, NUS Cymru President, Deio Owen said: I’m glad to see an increase in student maintenance, but it falls short of addressing the needs of many of learners today.” The NUS didn’t see the increase as sustainable, calling to a much needed review of how Higher Education in Wales is funded.
