Busting myths on students’ finances

MORE than 300 students, parents, teachers and careers advisors came together on Monday night to learn more about university life and student finances.

The event, held at the Corn Exchange, was held by the University of Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough Council.

Year 13 students from across the borough heard from speakers including university vice-chancellor Les Ebdon and a spokesman from Student Finance England, and were able to quiz current students about university life at a question-and-answer session.

Lal Joshi, the university’s head of student recruitment, said: “There’s still a misconception about what the new fees set-up means in real terms for students. Everybody knows that fees could go up to £9,000, but there’s less knowledge about the help and support that’s available.

“We wanted to make that information available and to help people make informed decisions.

“Speaking to parents afterwards they said they understood the situation better and that the situation was not as bad as had been portrayed.”

Lal said that the event had been such a success that the university now planned to make it an annual event.

And another seminar of student life and finances will be held for Year 12 students on April 20 at the university’s Polhill Avenue campus.

Lal added: “Students will actually be better off than they are now under the changes to university tuition fees.

“University provides good value, because it sets you up with the key skills you need for your career.

“We are one of the first universities in the country to provide an event like this, but I’m pretty confident that others will follow suit.”