University fees 'discourage young people'

A survey of young people has revealed that one in three are deterred from applying for undergraduate courses due to the costs involved.

According to the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) poll, three-quarters of the 5,850 15- to 18-year-olds surveyed believe university students should not have to pay tuition fees, the BBC reports.

James Greenhalgh, a member of UKYP, described the inequality between Scottish and English universities following the decision by the Scottish Parliament to scrap the endowment fee.

Mr Greenhalgh stated that the ruling means education in the two countries is 'unequal, unfair' and creates an 'outrageous imbalance.'

He added: 'The current system is failing millions of young people who won't go to university because they are too worried about the cost.'

The Scottish graduate endowment fee was abolished earlier this year, meaning current students and those who graduated last year will be exempt from paying the £2,000 charge.