Teenagers from the poorest homes have their hands tied when choosing a university because most can only afford to live at home, a study published today shows.

More than half - 53% - of students from families who work in manual jobs or are on benefits chose their university because it was close to home, a poll by the National Union of Students and HSBC found. The figure was 22% for students from the richest homes where parents are company directors or in professional jobs.

The study quizzed 3,135 undergraduates at 146 universities and colleges across the UK. The finding acts as an early warning to ministers that the poorest students could suffer if tuition fees rise. Ministers are reviewing the first three years of the fees next year. Critics worry this will lead to an increase in the current £3,145 cap.

Source: The Guardian Newspaper
For the full article please visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2008/nov/25/tuition-fees-students-university