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TUITION fee grants for students studying at university will be increased to match the UK’s planned inflation-level rise, the Education Minister has confirmed. Deputy Rob Ward said he “intends to increase the maximum tuition fee grant accordingly” for Jersey students currently studying at university in England or planning to from September 2026. It comes as the UK’s Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced in the House of Commons last Tuesday that tuition fee caps – in England only – will rise in line with forecast inflation rates from 2026 for two academic years. The higher fees will impact undergraduate courses at all higher education providers. The exact amount students will be charged is unclear, however if it was calculated at the current rate of inflation, university fees would rise by approximately £400 to over £9,900 per year. Ms Phillipson also told MPs that UK university maintenance loans will rise in line with inflation. Afterwards she said she intends to bring forward legislation to automate the inflation-linked figures. In a statement, Deputy Ward said he is “committed to supporting individuals who aspire to enter higher education” and to “removing barriers such as the cost of study”. “Following the recent announcement by the UK Government of plans to increase tuition fee caps in line with inflation for academic years 2026/27 and 2027/28, I intend to increase the maximum tuition fee grant accordingly,” he said. Deputy Ward added that “further details” for local students and parents will be shared once confirmation of the new fees have been announced.
