WALES: Basic fees to be lower than England

Basic university tuition fees will be £2,000 (US$3,234) lower in Wales than in England, it has been announced. Education Minister Leighton Andrews has opted for a basic fee level of £4,000 in Wales, rather than the £6,000 which will apply over the border, reports the BBC.

He said his decision was based on the contribution he believed higher education should make to social justice, and feedback from the sector. From next year the upper fee limit will be £9,000, as in England. Universities must show a commitment to widening access and other strategic objectives before being allowed to charge more than the basic amount.

Andrews said he wanted new fee regulations in place before the Welsh assembly is dissolved for May's election, so that universities have time to prepare. They will come into force for students starting new courses from September 2012. The assembly government will meet the cost of extra fees for students from Wales attending any UK university.
Full report on the BBC site