A student who has so far paid more than £13,000 in university fees despite never having experienced a lecture on campus has written to the Education Secretary asking him to urgently review tuition and accommodation costs.

Sophie Winter, a former pupil at the Invicta Grammar School For Girls in Maidstone, is studying Forensic Biology at Bournemouth University.

She started her course in September but since then she has been learning remotely from her family home in Grove Green, and has only spent nine days in her accommodation.

Despite the changes, like many students, she has seen no reductions in rent or course costs.

The 18-year-old has written a letter to the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, asking him to review the 'bleak' situation which she feels is 'unjust'.

She wrote: "I think I speak for all students when I say I am confused, worried and feeling forgotten about.

"The debt we are getting ourselves into is unjust.

"Tuition fees are £9,250 per annum. This is meant to cover 'key elements of your course and academic life as well as core services related to students' wellbeing and experience on campus' as stated by the UCAS website.

"Therefore I ask you how this sum is justified for this academic year as I have not received the key elements of my course or stepped a single foot on campus.

"I have stayed a total of nine nights at my accommodation since September due to a coronavirus outbreak in the building.

"I am asking you to please consider my points about both tuition fees and maintenance fees as students are dropping out of university by the minute due to the lack of guidance."

On top of tuition fees, Miss Winter has so far had to pay £4,426 in rent despite being unable to travel back to her accommodation in Lockdown.

"I feel like there is a school update every week, but there is nothing for universities and it baffles me."

This fee also includes a bus pass to help her travel to campus, something else she cannot currently use.

This brings the total to £13,676 over five months for a university experience she feels she is not currently getting.

In August, Miss Winter was impacted by the government's controversial algorithm which saw thousands of A-Level pupils downgraded and missing out in university spaces.

Now she feels she is one again having to 'roll with the punches' as the disruption continues.

When asked what she would like to see happen next, Miss Winter said: "I would like to have the same level ground as the rest of the education system because I feel like there is a school update every week, but there is nothing for universities and it baffles me.

"There needs to be a clear list of what each degree can do, what restrictions are in place and there needs to be justification as to why the tuition fees are still worth the full amount because the true definition isn't being met."

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “This has been a very difficult time for students, and we encourage universities and accommodation providers to review their accommodation policies to ensure they are fair, transparent and have the best interests of students at heart.

“Universities are responsible for their tuition fees, but the government has been clear they are expected to maintain quality and academic standards, and the Office for Students monitors online teaching to ensure this happens.

"Along with the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), the OfS has published guidance on this issue, and if a student has concerns they should first contact their provider, and if unresolved, should seek advice from the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA).”

A spokesperson from Bournemouth University (BU) said: "We recognise these circumstances can be challenging and we have been working tirelessly to ensure that the student experience is as best it can be during the pandemic, while working within the restrictions the government has implemented for universities

"Many of the student accommodation options for BU students are not owned by BU but we will continue to work with these providers to ensure our students are supported. We provide a range of support and guidance for students who are struggling financially, and would welcome any further support from the government."

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