The University of Sheffield, the University of Southampton, the School of Oriential and African Studies and the University of the Arts London all announced today that they intend to charge ?9,000 fees from 2012.

Their decisions, which are subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access, follow the announcement by Birkbeck, University of London that it plans to charge a range of fees.

Around three-quarters of the institutions that have shown their hand have plumped for the top fee level, although many have indicated that they plan to offer fee waivers for poorer students.

David Willetts, the universities and science minister, has said that ?9,000 would be charged only in ¡°exceptional circumstances¡±.

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Announcing his university¡¯s plans, Don Nutbeam, Southampton¡¯s vice-chancellor, said: ¡°We want to ensure that the university maintains its leading position as a place of opportunity for talented students regardless of their background.

¡°Our fees have been set at a level that will enable us to secure the future of the university following government funding cuts, and invest in improvements in the quality of teaching and the overall experience of students at the university.¡±

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Nigel Carrington, rector of the University of the Arts London, said: ¡°By charging ?9,000, we will be able to increase our investment in access measures to widen participation and continue to invest in the student academic experience in order to meet the high standards our students expect.

¡°We cannot provide a quality education unless we fully replace the public grants which will be removed,¡± he said.

john.elmes@tsleducation.com