When were University fees implemented in the UK? 

University tuition fees in the UK have a relatively recent history of implementation. Until the late 20th century, higher education in the UK was predominantly funded by the government and was, for the most part, free for domestic (UK and EU) students. However, this changed with significant policy shifts:

• 1998: Tuition fees were first introduced in England, starting at £1,000 per year, means-tested based on family income.
• 2004: Tuition fees in England increased to a maximum of £3,000 per year, no longer means-tested.
• 2012: A significant shift occurred when fees in England were raised to a maximum of £9,000 per year, sparking protests and debates about higher education affordability. 
• 2016: In Scotland, tuition remained free for domestic and EU students, while fees were introduced for students from other UK nations.
• 2024: In England, students will have to pay more tuition fees for undergraduate programs next year, (2025-2026) as the amount will rise to £9,535 a year. This is £285 more than the maximum fees of £9,250, the first increase since 2017.

Tuition fee policies vary across the UK's nations, leading to differing fee structures and support systems. These changes marked a shift from the historical tradition of government-funded higher education and have shaped the current landscape of UK universities fees for both domestic and international students.

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