More students questioning value for money of degrees following hike in fees

Now fees are as much as £9,000 a year, almost a third (29%) of students said they thought their course represented poor value for money, compared to just 16% in 2006 when fees were £1,000. UCU said universities were expected to provide a better service, despite not actually having extra money following the government's reforms to how universities are funded.

In the main students are still satisfied with their course, with nearly nine in ten (87%) saying their course was good quality. The report, from the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) and Which?, also discovered that students are putting in more private study - an average of 14 hours and eight minutes a week in 2013, compared to 12 hours 48 minutes in 2006.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'It is perhaps not surprising that some students and their parents expect more bang for their increased buck, following the rise in university fees. Frustratingly, despite the hike in fees, universities are not any better off after the government slashed state support for higher education.

'Staff and universities simply cannot do more for less and if we are to maintain a world-class university system, producing satisfied graduates ready to tackle the challenges of the future, then we have to accept that costs money. Higher education remains something this country can do well, but it needs proper investment.'