THE 5% increase in fees for courses at Highlands is necessary to ‘address the gap’ between the cost of their qualifications and those offered at UK counterparts, the institution has said.
The additional sum, which applies to fees for the 2023 to 2024 academic year, will also go toward improving the infrastructure and facilities of Highlands College, known as University College Jersey.
The increase equates to £114,000 of additional funding (dependent on enrolments) and will have implications for Student Finance, as 82% of their students are in receipt of awards to cover their fees.
The increase was announced in a Ministerial Decision, approved by the Assistant Children’s and Education Minister, Louise Doublet.
In accordance with the Public Finances Manual, fee increases of more than 2.5% must receive the approval of the Treasurer of the States.
An error meant that the Ministerial Decision originally stated a 10.4% increase.
However, Highlands said they were working with the government to mitigate the impact.
Explaining the rationale for fee increases, the college stated: ‘As a university centre we achieve better results than our UK counterparts and have smaller-sized classes, despite a funding gap between UCJ and similar providers in England. The fee increases are being introduced to address this gap.’
A Ministerial Decision report further states: ‘Currently, the cost of delivering higher education on-Island is 37% more costly than similar higher education within further education providers in England. During 2020, a specialist accountant reviewed UCJ and found that student finance funded English providers on average 15% higher when compared to on-Island delivery.
‘At the time the average fee at UCJ was set at £7,900. As such, each year Highlands College has sought to address this gap by steadily increasing fees.
As of 2023, Highlands is seeking to increase fees by a further 5% with the aim of addressing the gap fully by 2024 when fees will reach £9,250.
‘By increasing funding for higher education, we can enhance the quality of education provided to students in Jersey. For example, by improving teaching resources and technologies, and expanding research opportunities.’
The report also stated that investment in UCJ would help to retain local talent, support economic growth, increase support for students and improve facilities, saying: ‘A portion of the increased funding can be allocated to improving the infrastructure and facilities of UCJ.
‘Upgrading classrooms, libraries, and other essential facilities will provide students with a more conducive learning environment. Additionally, enhanced facilities can attract talented staff members, and students, elevating the reputation of Jersey as an education hub.’
