STUDENTS have launched a petition against a £500-a-year rise in accommodation fees.
The Durham University announcement, made in an email to students last week, detailed increases of nearly 8.5 per cent in fees for next academic year at its 16 colleges.
A standard let will cost £6,819 – £530 more than this academic year – while en suite rooms will cost £7,104, compared to £6,523 in 2014–15.
The email blamed the rises on above-inflation increases in utilities and food prices, as well as the need for further repairs and maintenance.
Durham Students’ Union has launched a petition asking the University to reconsider its “unjustifiably high” undergraduate residence charges.
Professor Graham Towl, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Warden at Durham University, said: “Our students benefit from a College experience at Halls of Residence prices.”
Laura Carter, DSU Communities Officer, said: “We are very disappointed with the increase in undergraduate residence charges.
“We urged the University to keep the prices as low as possible and explain why their prices are increasing far in excess of the UK rate of inflation.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel