THE University of Cumbria has said that stagnant tuition fees and maintenance grants have caused ‘difficulties’ for students and universities.

The comment comes after a group representing a number of universities from across the country called for higher tuition fees to help with their financial pressures.

Universities UK (UUK) said government grants and fees have not kept pace with rising costs, causing budget deficits.

Tuition fees currently stand at £9,250 per year. They have remained the same since before the pandemic and during the cost-of-living crisis which saw inflation driven to its highest level in decades.

Some have suggested that raising tuition fees to £12,500 would help to ease financial pressure on higher education facilities.

UUK president Professor Dame Sally Mapstone said: “The major problem with university finance is that for the past eight to nine years, direct government grants and fees haven’t kept up with the cost of teaching and with inflation, so more and more institutions are facing a budget deficit overall.

“We are alert to the fact, of course, that when you say fees should go up, people are alarmed at the consequences for students, which is why we also think that it’s very important that the support that students get in terms of maintenance loans and grants also be looked at.”

The University of Cumbria blamed ‘inflationary pressures’ as the reason for their request for an additional £8million for the flagship Citadels project in Carlisle city centre.

The university had originally pledged to give £23.5million to the £77million Borderlands Partnership project but has since requested to pay £15.5million.

In a report sent to the Borderlands Partnership, the university said it is suffering with “intense inflationary pressures, increasing employer pension contributions and increased utility costs” which have all contributed to the request.

The university said that tuition fees have remained at £9,250 since 2017 and haven’t increased with inflation, representing a ‘significant’ reduction in value.

A University of Cumbria spokesperson said: “Our university has seen much growth in recent years which has enabled our ongoing financial sustainability.

“However, university fees and student maintenance grants have not kept pace with inflation, causing difficulties for both students and universities.

“We welcome a new perspective to funding higher education which values both graduates and universities and the contribution made to place, society and our economy.”