UNIVERSITY towns and cities including Bournemouth and Southampton could see their economies hit by plans to triple tuition fees.

Student spending accounts for more than three per cent of Bournemouth’s total economic activity, according to research by Centre for Cities.

Undergraduates spend almost £220million a year while their Southampton counterparts help generate almost £340million a year, representing 4.4 per cent of the city’s economic output.

But this could change if students become more selective about where they study or decide not to go to university at all because of rising costs.

Under government proposals, tuition fees will rise to a maximum of £9,000.

Last month Bournemouth University announced it will be charging fees of £8,200 for the majority of its degrees and £9,000 for its flagship courses including tourism, computer animation, TV and journalism.

The Centre for Cities report warns that towns and cities need to plan ahead for the impact on businesses if fewer students are spending money in the local economy in the future.

Cambridge, Plymouth, Coventry, Oxford, Dundee and Swansea are likely to be hardest hit with Southampton 12th in the undergraduate spending league and Bournemouth 27th.

Centre for Cities analyst Paul Swinney said: “Universities, and the cities they are based in, face some challenging times ahead.

“In this age of austerity, universities have needed to revise their fee structures but it is important that cities understand that decisions made by universities about fees, students and staff will have implications on local economies.”

A Bournemouth University spokesperson said: “The university is very proud of its role in the community and fully aware of the significant contribution it makes to the local and regional economy.

“BU has significantly raised its profile and popularity in recent years, resulting in increased applications and student numbers. We see no reason why this trend won’t continue.”