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Top-earning graduate scheme members 'may face extra levy'

Published: Tuesday, 17 August 2010   Category: All Graduate job news

Britons who progress to the highest-earning graduate placements could face a 20 per cent levy on top of their tuition fees, it has been suggested.

Under changes to university funding being considered in Lord Browne's review this autumn, the top fifth of earners may be forced to pay an extra £2,000.

If implemented, the 'graduate contribution' system would also see graduates on average incomes repaying their tuition fees plus interest, while there would be no charges for those on the lowest wages.

The news comes ahead of the A-level results being released on Thursday (August 19th), with higher education minister David Willetts warning that more students will find themselves unable to secure a university place this year.

"There has been a surge in applications so sadly there are going to be a significant number of young people who apply for university and don't get a place," he said.

"Last year there were 160,000 young people who applied and didn't get a place. It could be a greater number this year."

Tom Hall, editor of travel bible producers Lonely Planet, claimed recently that graduates could head abroad on a gap year while the jobs market remains ultra-competitive.

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