Call to action on uni fees

Education Secretary Michael Russell said he expected universities to show restraint when setting fees, quoting £6375 a year as a competitive figure.

However, he was today urged to act after universities including Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt announced plans to charge annual fees of £9000 to applicants from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Mary Senior, Scottish official for UCU Scotland, which represents lecturers, said: “The first announcements show principals are more concerned about raking-in funding than acting in the best interests of their institution or country.”

Robin Parker, president of NUS Scotland, said if more institutions follow Edinburgh’s lead the Scottish Government would have to step in.