The National Union of Students says England’s system for funding higher education is unfair and reinforces existing social inequality.

In a report timed to influence the terms of a government review of the system, it says things will get worse if the cap on top-up fees is raised.

Financial support is based on where you study, not on need, it says.

Variable or "top-up" fees began in 2006 and are capped at £3,145 a year - but could rise in the future.


The NUS is no longer campaigning for fees to be abolished.

Parliament could vote for an increase after 2010. The Westminster government has said it will hold a review of the funding system once the first people to be affected by the changes have passed through the system.

It expects to finalise the terms of the review late next year.

In its report, Broke and Broken, the NUS says students will be faced with "staggering" debts if the current cap is raised substantially.

It is critical of the current system of bursaries offered by individual universities (which is on top of government support) and calls for a national system instead.

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