University Unveils The 'Derby Difference' On Tuition Fees For 2012
5 April 2011
Quality, choice, value and the personal touch - these are the University of Derby's key promises to prospective students as it announces the tuition fees it plans to charge from September 2012.
The University will submit proposals to the Government later this month to introduce a sliding scale of course prices for prospective students, reflecting the actual costs needed to deliver them - with 80% of Derby's courses set to cost less than £7,500 a year.
The Government voted to increase the current £3,290 annual cap on universities' degree fees, allowing them to charge from £6,000 to £9,000 a year. It will be cutting the national higher education budget directly invested in universities by 40% over four years.
A student-centred philosophy and prudent financial management has placed the University in a strong position. The University of Derby produced a £10.1m operating surplus (as a non-commercial operation, this is its version of a 'profit') in 2010 and is on track to do the same in 2011. Every penny of this surplus is invested back into improving facilities, courses and the student experience. The University will leverage this strength into affordable fees.
As part of the 'Derby Difference' the University is promising prospective students that its tuition fees from September 2012 will reflect the true cost and individual characteristics of the courses.
University managers have identified three groups of courses:
- Specialist - Derby's 'signature courses', which feature additional experiences enhancing the learning experience (mandatory field trips, visits etc.) - £7,995 (20% of University courses at this cost)
- Resource Intensive - requiring specialist facilities on site - £7,495 (40% of courses)
- Classroom based - predominantly delivered in a conventional class or lecture setting - £6,995 (40% of courses).
The University will be seeking to reserve the right to introduce a further category should circumstances warrant it. This would be for a Premium category that would be appropriate for programmes that were very distinctive, high cost and unique to Derby - these would charge annual fees of £9,000 (currently there are no courses identified at this price).
This means a student on a Specialist course, for example one which requires field trips abroad (the cost of which would be met from the fee), would pay more than a student studying on a Classroom based course requiring no additional resources.
The new system will affect full and part time students beginning degrees on or after September 2012. Students part-way through courses and those joining in 2011 will remain on the current system.
Professor John Coyne, University of Derby Vice-Chancellor, said: "Our key message is that this University will ensure students know exactly what they are paying for and deliver it.
"We are a high quality University with an excellent track record. We are one of the success stories of the sector currently and enjoying unprecedented popularity. We have done this by focussing upon our students and see no need to change emphasis. We believe in setting good value and fair fees for students and this will continue.
"It is about delivering the best higher education experience on a realistic scale. We will build upon our recent success to make the benefits available to prospective students. We don't rest on our laurels or historic reputations and notions of status. That is 'old thinking'! Our decision is based on pricing not posturing, fairness not folly!
"The 'Derby Difference' will mean students beginning their education with us in September 2012 or afterwards can be confident their annual tuition fee will be all that they will pay. There will be no hidden charges for course 'extras' such as mandatory field trips, use of laboratories, starter packs, testing kits or whatever. Only the usual discretionary book purchases will be at the student's expense.
"In addition, those on purely classroom based courses will be charged lower annual tuition fees than those pursuing degrees which require additional University resources. But all will get first class attention.
"We shall deliver learning on an accessible scale with an emphasis on meaningful contact hours, access to tutors and relatively small class sizes.
"As well as tremendous value, the key element we are offering students is the 'personal touch'. Every student at Derby will benefit from that individualised approach. Already well over 80% of our classes are taught to fewer than 30 students."
The University also places great stock on helping students maximise their own employability, skills and experience alongside studying for their degree or other qualification.
The University of Derby Students' Union (UDSU), through its key officers, was fully engaged with the fee setting process. Their advice was sought and listened to at every stage.
UDSU President Caleb Jackson said: "We shall hold the University to account on the delivery of the student experience. This is vital to our student body. We recognise the need to ensure that the University can continue to generate the funds necessary to re-invest in improving all aspects of life for our students. We are on the up as a University and our students deserve the best. We supported the proposals at the Governing Council where we had the opportunity to put forward the views of our students."
Derby has an award winning Careers Service, a Student Employment Agency, which helps provide students with work opportunities with companies and organisations, and an extensive volunteering programme including the Derby Award which builds these experiences into an additional qualification. It is the first university to produce an electronic HEAR (Higher Education Achievement Report) which details a student's academic achievement in detail and also enables prospective employers to note extra-curricular activities and achievements in the student's time at University. The University's Enterprise Centre also supports students in their ambition to start up their own business.
As under the current national tuition fees system no full time student will have to pay for the cost of tuition while they are studying. Government financial help will be provided in the form of a loan, which is later paid back.
No graduate will begin repaying their loan until they are earning at least £21,000 a year. A graduate earning £25,000 a year would repay their loan at around £30 a month. Any outstanding loan will be written off after 30 years.
For more details about the Derby Difference tuition fees proposition from September 2012 visit: www.derby.ac.uk/2012-fees
For more information contact Deputy Head of Corporate Relations Simon Redfern on 01332 591942 or 07748 920038 or email s.redfern@derby.ac.uk
