30 March 2012

Joint statement on additional cost transparency:

"UUK and GuildHE have been working with NUS on important work led by student unions on additional course costs in higher education. We believe that we must take action in this area. Most importantly, all applicants and students deserve clear and accurate information about any additional costs that they will incur on a particular course or at an institution. This is an important aspect of the public information agenda as well as a matter of fairness and transparency. Understanding all costs and fees will help applicants to make informed choices and to plan ahead for their studies. We agree with NUS that no student or applicant should be disadvantaged academically because of any additional costs. Furthermore, we also recognise that increased tuition fees are likely to affect applicant and student expectations of what is and isn’t included and we need to proactively understand, manage and respond to such expectations. We believe it is in the student and institutional interest to work together to consider such issues. As in many areas of higher education policy we hope to avoid unnecessary regulatory or statutory burdens and will be working closely with NUS and others over the coming months on additional costs, seeking to understand the concerns raised by students and to establish clear guidance for good practice across the sector. We plan to publish such guidance in the autumn."