by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Business could come under more pressure to give financial support to potential recruits after Kent became the latest university to announce a proposed fee hike to £9,000.

Its council backed the plan on Friday, which now goes to the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) for approval.

Almost all universities that have unveiled their proposals so far, including the latest Leeds and Loughborough, are going for the higher sum. The University of Greenwich has yet to declare its hand.

Charging more than £6,000 involves making a case to OFFA about how the money is to be spent, what help is available for students, and the university's plans for "widening participation".

There are fears that the massive fee hike will deter some young people from wishing to go to university and taking on at least £50,000 of debt. A number of large firms such as KPMG are to hire talented people and fund them through university.

Kent believes a £9,000 fee will allow it to "honour its commitment to deliver high quality teaching into the future and to continue to provide first-rate facilities on all its campuses."

It promises to "invest in an innovative package of fee waivers, bursaries and scholarships to increase its support for students from a range of backgrounds."

The university pledged to boost support for local schools and colleges, and continue to work with Brompton Academy, Gillingham.

"Students at Kent are taught by world-class academics and the fee level will allow for continued investment in high-quality staff, essential to the provision of an excellent academic experience," it said.