Material fees to be scrapped

by Adam Leyland

New students to the University of the Arts London will not pay material fees when enrolling from September.

Arts London News has learnt that the material costs of new students will be incorporated into the higher tuition fees.

The waiving of material fees will not affect existing students, as they are part of the old tuition fee structure.

Head of College at CSM, Jean Rapley OBE, confirmed the news: “No standard material/workshop levies will be required of students as of next year's intake.

"That does not mean that they will have all their materials free but that there will be no standard charges contributing to the running of workshops or the basic materials used now they are on £9,000 fees,” she added.

Other costs

Students will still have to pay for their own equipment and materials, as well as contribute towards their end of year shows, explained David Toynbee, deputy director of planning at UAL.

Student Union President Ben Westhead has hailed the news as a victory for students, but argued that the bigger problem was the increased tuition fees.

“It is a good move by the university, but they know that they couldn't go on charging students for material costs when students are going to start paying such a huge premium to study.

“However, it will help particularly UK students while they are studying, as they don't have to pay for their fees up front, so it will be more money in their pockets,” he said.