Things have changed a lot since I went to university in the mid 90s. Back then, we got a full grant and also had the option of an intrest-free student loan.
Nowadays, going to university can get very expensive. According to ThisIsMoney.co.uk, "University students starting degrees this September will be saddled with an astonishing £53,330 of debts by the time they emerge three years later into the jobs market".
Tuition fees alone, mean that £26,310 will be paid to the university for a 3 year course. In addition to this, the student will pay around £12,500 on accommodation, and over £4,300 on food. Other costs such as books, travel expenses, and household bills will also need to be taken into consideration.
The option for an intrest-free student loan is still available, which doesn't have to be paid back until the student is in full time employment earning at least £21,000 per year.
In my opinion, with the increasing numbers of graduates, there are more graduates today than there ever was, increasing the competition for graduate jobs. With so many graduates to choose from, companies can also take their pick of the best graduates, and recruit from the top universities first. Furthermore, with the student burdened with a crippling £53,330 worth of debt by the time they graduate, there is no guarantee that the debt can be repaid.
Should students pay more for their tuition?
Taking all the above points into consideration, I say, definitely not. The student and their parents are already paying extortionate tuition fees to the university, and for their living costs. If students are forced to pay more for their tuition, it won't be a viable option to go to university anymore, leading to a less educated workforce.
Source: ThisIsMoney