UCU: Money puts off too many students

Financial constraints are the "biggest barrier" to participation in higher education for Britain's young people, the University and College Union (UCU) believes.

General secretary Sally Hunt said the government's "laudable aims" on getting 50 per cent of those between 17 and 30 years old into university were being undermined by "high costs, debt and the fear of debt".

"The current policy of sentencing students to record levels of debt is in desperate need of a rethink, something next year’s fees review must address," she said.

Ms Hunt was speaking as innovation, universities and skills John Denham focused on the need for fairer, transparent university admissions processes in a speech at the University of Warwick.

"Greater transparency should help universities demonstrate to all students that if they have the potential they should apply," she added.