Researchers have reported that university drop-out rates fell after tuition fees were increased, suggesting the increased fees made students focus more on getting a good degree and being able to pay off their debts.
The Lancaster University Management School produced the report, examining the effect the rise in tuition fees in 2006 had, when they rose to £3,000, up until 2010.
All subject areas saw drop-outs decrease, of both men and women. The biggest decrease in drop-out rates was for students at Russell Group universities (primarily male students), with 33 per cent fewer people dropping out of their course at one of the prestigious universities.
The study also indicates the increased fees may have put some students off going to university, such as lower-achieving pupils from low-income families, due to a potentially higher risk of dropping out of their course.
As well as this, other possible reasons for drop-out rates falling could have been the financial crisis in 2008, and a tougher job market, which could have made students more inclined to remain in education.
This research comes after a record-high number of students have been accepted onto university courses, after the government decided to remove its cap on pupil numbers.