University tuition fees have been a controversial issue in the UK. Fees were introduced in 1998 and have increased substantially since. Protests have occurred over proposed rises, with fees in England set to increase to a maximum of £9,000 per year. This would leave average students with debts of around £38,000 upon graduating. There are also concerns that funding cuts will disproportionately impact subjects outside of math and science. As fewer students opt to study languages without the requirement to do so, the UK workforce is lacking language skills important for business.

1. Universityfees in the UK, why so manyprotests?

2. A verybriefhistoryFurther education (post secondary school) was always free in the UK until September 1998 when Tony Blair’s Labour government introduced tuition fees

3. Tuition fees are a direct result of less government funding in education

4. Fees were quickly abolished by the devolved government in Scotland, creating a strange and confusing situation in the UK e.g. How much do Northern Irish students pay to study in Scotland? And a Scottish student in England???Key FactsFees in England to rise from £3,290 to a maximum of £9,000 a year, from 2012

5. Graduates will begin paying back loans covering their fees once they are earning at least £21,000 a year (average graduate salary is £25,000

6. They will pay back 9% of their earnings above this level

7. No tuition fees in Scotland, but universities are asking for 'graduate contributions' to maintain competiveness

8. Fees in Wales are to rise in line with those in England - but Welsh students will be subsidised wherever they study in the UK so will pay no more than the current fees of £3,290 a yearUniversityfees in the UK, why so manyprotests?

9. Whatisthe real effectontheaveragestudent?This is a loan-based system, students doing three-year courses charged at £6,000 will leave university with about £30,000 of debt - if fees go up to £9,000, debts will be closer to £38,000.

10. There might be a 5% levy on repayments over a certain amount each year i.e. early repayments may be penalised

11. Wealthy students will, however, be able to pay their own university fees up front, avoiding accruing any debt at all.Humanites are no longerrelevant?The government has said it is cutting spending on universities by 40% over the next four years - but plans to remove teaching budgets from all but maths and science-related subjects - expecting other courses to become self-financing through increased fees.

12. This could result in an 80% cut in the teaching budget, universities say.Secondary Education in UK: an overviewPrimary school: ages 5 to 11