The new United Kingdom (UK) government has approved the first increase in maximum university tuition fees for the first time in eight years. Accordingly, from January 2025, they will increase by 3.1 percent to £9,535 (US$12,350) a year, informed Bridget Phillipson, the UK Secretary of State for Education.

Speaking at the House of Commons, Phillipson explained the need for this measure with the inflation and the deterioration of the financial situation of UK universities. This was further complicated by the outgoing Conservative Party government's recent decision to make it harder for foreigners with families to obtain student visas to the UK.

There is no point in curbing education costs for future generations of students if there are no universities left for them to go to, Phillipson said, adding that the Labour Party who won the July parliamentary election was going to invest in basic education; reforms that will contribute to ensuring sufficient funding of universities in the UK.

The announced changes so far only apply to universities in England, but the authorities of Wales and Northern Ireland may follow London's example. Education at universities in Scotland will remain free for local residents. Studying at UK universities for foreigners, however, is usually several times more expensive than for UK citizens.