Students protest over £9,000 fees

PART of the principal’s residence at St Andrews University was occupied by students angry at the introduction of £9,000-a-year tuition fees.

Around a dozen students pitched tents on the gardens outside the residence of Professor Louise Richardson, early yesterday.

Last month the university said it would join Edinburgh University in charging students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales £36,000 for a four-year degree, making it the most expensive in the UK.

One student taking part in the protest said: “It’s gross hypocrisy that people who benefited from a free education themselves are increasing fees for other students by 500 per cent.

“The the university’s argument that this is financially necessary is dishonest.”