Student protest ends as thousands try to beat tuition fees

Wednesday, 5 January 2011 12:00 AM

By ian Dunt

A long-running sit-in protest is expected to come to an end later, after students at the University of Kent decided to end their four-week campaign.

The news comes as an unprecedented numbers of applicants tried to secure a university place next year, in a desperate attempt to start before the rise in tuition fees comes into effect.

Media reports suggested that up to 344,000 candidates had already completed applications for the next academic year. If the trend continues, it would result in 705,500 people applying for university this year - up from 688,310 last year, which was itself already a record.

Thousands of students are believed to be abandoning gap years in a bid to start university before the charges apply.

The trend could see up to 226,000 young people missing out on a place - around a third of those applying.

Meanwhile, students at the University of Kent in Canterbury confirmed they planned to end their month-long occupation of the Senate building, after remaining at the location throughout the Christmas and New Year's period.

An attempt to regain control of the building through a possession order was being undertaken by the university, but students gave up on the protest of their own accord, saying they felt they had highlighted their cause.

There were angry accusations that the heating in the building had been turned off despite the cold weather, that they had been unable to leave for fresh air and that their internet connection had been cut.

Further protests are planned in central London later this month to campaign against the rise in fees.

Previous demonstration had seen allegations of police violence and considerable damage to property in the capital.

Footage released yesterday by the Metropolitan police showed a handful of protestors around the car of Prince Charles and Camilla.

"Although the images are grainy, officers believe members of the public will be able to recognise the individuals featured," the Met said.

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