“I can survive on jam sandwiches for the next three years”: The impact of the new fees regime on students' attitudes to HE and debt

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this research is to draw from a project sponsored by the Higher Education Academy and undertaken jointly by researchers at the University of Southampton and The Knowledge Partnership UK, which aimed to investigate the likely impact of the recently introduced new fees regime on students' attitudes to HE and to issues of debt.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample of 64 students approaching the end of their A level study in four Further Education Colleges in the South and North of England, the research utilised focus group interviews to seek views about the new fees regime which were to be introduced in September 2006 throughout the country.

Findings

The research found that, while the issue of debt was a significant concern for many students, the desire to go to university either immediately or in the long term, remained a strong priority for the students. Different types of debt aversion, including risk debt aversion, sticker type debt aversion, value‐based debt aversion and life‐style debt aversion, were evident from the students' discourses.

Originality/value

Overall, sufficient evidence was not found to support the general belief that issues of student debt would significantly dissuade students from participating in HE. Rather, it was found that students were more likely to be rational in their decisions, as long as the increased fees would add value to their HE experience. Significantly, the research discovers a new form of debt aversion among the participants. HE institutions need to be aware of the variety of forms of debt aversion in order to plan for more strategic recruitment in a new fees and debt economy.

Citation

Maringe, F., Foskett, N. and Roberts, D. (2009), "“I can survive on jam sandwiches for the next three years”: The impact of the new fees regime on students' attitudes to HE and debt", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 23 No. 2, pp. 145-160. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540910933503