Brunel avoiding fees disaster.

The number of applications to Brunel University is stronger than the national average despite the proposed rise in tuition fees to £9000 for 2012.

With the University sector as a whole showing applications down 12.6%, Brunel is slightly above the national figure with applications currently being down 12.1%.

One initiative to encourage further applications to Brunel are the introduction of 800 new scholarships, including the Urban Scholarship Programme which encourages students “who achieve academic excellence” to make Brunel their firm choice and providing an offer is made, successful applicants will receive a non-repayable cash reward of up to £3000.

Coinciding with this, the courses being offered at Brunel take on a more vocational approach, in particular in the School of Arts where some courses require Work Experience modules to be completed which subsequently increases the employability of graduates.

Dr William Leahy, Head of the School of Arts said: “We were told to just hold your nerve, keep your targets realistic and don’t close anything or promise anything that you can’t deliver…the targets are similar to last year.”

He added: “Open days and UCAS days need to be absolutely brilliant…apparently a record number of students and parents are attending.”

Cllr. Kerri Prince (Labour) and President of the Brunel Labour society said: “The Government needs to consider the implications of this disastrous policy. Whilst we support students contributing to their education, £9000 is too excessive and will deter students from applying for a course the Government needs the most, such as medicine.”   

The proposals to remove the cap on tuition fees were introduced by the Coalition Government in December 2010 and it means that from next year Universities will be allowed to charge up to £9000 per student.

Brunel University soared up 78 places in the 2011 National Student Survey.