Economy fears over falling number of students enrolling
Rocketing tuition fees could see about 8,000 fewer students enrolling at Westcountry universities, costing the local economy millions, according to new figures.
With average fees expected to soar by more than £9,000 a year, fears abound many youngsters will live at home and study locally or reject higher education altogether.
The study reveals that nationally almost half (47 per cent) of students will live at home by 2020 – twice as many as in 2011 and, according to researchers, the “student exodus” will begin next year.