2 out of 3 university students in England say they don't get value for money

More than two thirds of England's university students say they do not get value for their money for their tuition fees, an influential survey revealed Thursday.

University students in England pay 9,000 pounds a year (13,000 U.S. dollars), with government proposals being considered to allow universities to increase fees for "excellent teaching."

The same study published by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) and the Higher Education Academy (HEA) shows 86 percent of the 15,000 students quizzed oppose higher fees, even for enhanced teaching.

The study, "Student Academic Experience Survey" revealed that while 85 percent of full-time undergraduates at British higher education institutions were satisfied with their course, just 37 percent thought they got good value for their money.

The satisfaction rate was the lowest in England, compared to other parts of the United Kingdom. Scotland, where there are no tuition fees, had the highest satisfaction rate.

The study showed perceptions of "good value for money" had fallen from 53 percent in 2012 to 37 percent today.

The number of contact hours, the time spent being instructed by a faculty member in the classroom, played a role in students' satisfaction: 58 percent of students taking medicine or dentistry believed they were getting good value for their money compared to only 30 percent of students taking technology, social sciences, mass communications and documentation or European languages.

"The overwhelming majority of students (75 percent) want more information about how their tuition fees are spent," the study read.

Nick Hillman, director of HEPI, said: "The survey reveals some crucial findings for policymakers as they implement the biggest higher education reforms for a generation."

"Universities and the government both want to see tuition fees increase, but students are strongly opposed to this. If the politicians are to deliver the extra cash universities say is necessary for delivering a top-notch student experience, they need more covering fire from the higher education sector itself. Universities must show how any extra fee income will directly benefit their students."

"Higher education institutions could also do more to shape and meet the expectations of undergraduates on areas such as contact hours, the qualifications of lecturers, and feedback on written work."

Professor Stephanie Marshall, CEO of HEA, said: "Students have highlighted the importance of good teaching and the value they place on teaching staff being qualified and current in their teaching and subject discipline. We must listen to them. It's a matter of fact that there is a positive link between institutional investment in a professional development program for teaching staff and strong levels of engagement reported by students in our survey."

"Students are right to expect high-quality contact hours and the importance of quality rather than the quantity of contact hours is well-evidenced." Endit