The 2004 HE Act created a policy which introduced a funding system that will allow institutions to charge a variable fee, which was capped at £3,000 a year for any given undergraduate course for full-time home students.

The majority of institutions have decided to charge the full fee for all courses. Lancaster is one of them. We believe this system, and any further lifting of the cap, will cause a further extension of the market in education that will leave the poorest most disadvantaged. In 2008, through an independent commission the Government will begin a review process of the £3,000 cap. A decision on this will be made in 2009, and any change is likely to be implemented in 2010. There is a chance that the variable fee will be rejected, but until then LUSU will continue it's fight for a funded education system which is fair in access and opportunity..