Students at Kent University will tonight join a national action campaigning against the introduction of top-up fees.

Students in The Red will aim to persuade the Government to change its mind ahead of a higher education funding review next year.

If top-up fees are introduced, the National Union of Students estimate an average student’s debt will be £20,000.

The system would also base the level of financial support on where a student is studying, rather than on how much they need.

Kent Union vice-president of education Helen Palmer fears the admission process would then become driven purely by market forces.

“You’ll see the richer students going to the better universities, rather than students going there based on their academic merit.

“At the moment, it’s just pricing people out of the system.”

She added: “Most students aren’t quite aware of their level of debt until they actually stop and work it out.

“It’s not a tangible amount either at university entry age of 18 or 19.”

Audio: Helen Palmer talks about the protest with kmfm's Jo Sword >>>

Kent Union says their student advice centre has also seen a sharp rise in applications for hardship funds in recent years, with more and more students struggling to fund themselves through their studies.

An increasing proportion are also working part-time for extra cash.

Students will hold a rally from 7.30pm this evening as part of Kent Union’s fireworks display between Eliot and Rutherford Colleges.