The University and College Union (UCU) has called on universities to end the 'appalling' use of non-refundable acceptance deposits for both domestic and international post-graduate (PGT) courses.
In a letter to Universities UK, the union called on the higher education employer body to ask all universities to review their PGT application process and immediately end their use.
According to The Tab many deposits range from £1000-£2000, with some institutions charging up to £5000. Universities appear to be generating income through restrictive mechanisms which punish those with access to fewer resources.
UCU said that removing potential barriers to PGT study such as non-refundable acceptance deposits must to be part of a wider agenda to improve access, recruiting a more diverse postgraduate community, including at the postgraduate researcher (PGR) level. This strategy will require changes to the admissions processes, financial support and transition into study.
