Paying for university

By Harvey Jones. With average student debt running at £39,000, many parents will bear some of the cost burden of a university education. They used to say a good education was priceless, but these days we know exactly what it costs – and it isn't cheap. The average student now expects to graduate with £39,000 of debt, according to the Money Advice Service. Tuition fees of up to £9,000 a year for full-time students (and £6,750 a year for part timers), accommodation costs, living expenses and course books all add up to a hefty sum.
Graduating with debts of £39,000 sounds daunting, but it may still be a price worth paying. On average, graduates earn £12,000 a year more than those without a degree, according to the Office for National Statistics. For many families, parents will bear some of the cost burden of a university education. So what do you need to know if your child is about to embark on higher education? Read more...