A recent YouGov survey has shed a light on parents’ concerns over the repercussions of the rise in tuition fees from £3000 to £9000. Results from the survey revealed that one third of parents admitted they would have to have a say in their children’s choice of university due to the rise in price.

Not only does the increase in cost mean students will have to consider more carefully their choice of university but it may also result in fewer places available for applicants.

When students protested against the rise in tuition fees their main concern was the huge increase in price. Now, however, there are fresh concerns that university places could be cut in order to compensate for the huge debt that the government will have to pay in order to cover the loans.

When the plans were first being discussed, ministers underestimated the number of universities that would charge the full £9000 tuition fees. This miscalculation could leave universities taking on fewer students.

A separate poll found 95.3 per cent of university vice-chancellors felt people misunderstood the new fees.

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of vice-chancellors’ body Universities UK, said: ‘The need for clear and accessible communication on the new fees system is absolutely paramount.’ And her beliefs are well founded, with 93 per cent of parents unaware of the £60k degree (£27k fees and £33k living expenses).