UK undergraduate tuition fees in England will increase to £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year, marking a rise of £285 after being frozen since 2017. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced that maintenance loans will also increase to alleviate cost-of-living challenges. This change aims to support universities facing financial difficulties, but concerns remain regarding the affordability of higher education. The National Union of Students described the tuition hike as insufficient, while the Institute for Fiscal Studies urged clarity on future fee adjustments. The increase comes amid ongoing debates over university funding and student debt.