BOURNEMOUTH students will take part in a national demonstration against “a drastic rise in tuition fees”.

They will join thousands of others in London next month after the long-awaited Browne review recommended a hike in fees and higher interest rates on student loans.

“Such a drastic rise will force students to take a much sharper look at the quality of their education,” said Neneh Pepperell, vice president at Bournemouth Students’ Union.

“More than ever, universities are going to have to justify that the teaching and overall student experience is of an appropriate value for the sum of money they wish to increase their fees by.”

The review recommends lifting the current cap of £3,290 per year for fees, leading to fears that top institutions could charge up to £12,000 and some could go to the wall.

Bournemouth Students’ Union president Toby Horner said transport would be arranged for students to attend the demo in central London on November 10.

A spokesman for Bournemouth University said it was too soon to say how much it may charge but added: “Future decisions on the level of tuition fees will focus primarily on the quality of the student experience.

“We want to ensure that we continue to invest in the facilities and people required to maintain the reputation of the courses we offer, the employability of our graduates and our world-leading research.”