Elite uni payback proposal outrageous: Ramsey

The Russell Group controversially believes that: "Being taught by leading academics enhances the student experience and is considered by students themselves to be a core aspect of world-class teaching.

"Without the additional resources provided by variable fees, Russell Group universities would have been increasingly constrained in their ability to recruit the best international talent and thereby to maintain the quality of their research and teaching."

In order to attract the dazzling international talent necessary to maintain their elite status the top universities want students to pay back their student loans earlier.

But the Londonderry based SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey said this was unacceptable.

He said: "This is an outrageous suggestion by the Russell Group. In the current economic climate, students are already under significant financial pressure.

"Any additional financial worry surrounding their student loan package is completely unacceptable.

"These students have signed-up to an agreement and it is wholly unacceptable that the terms of this agreement should now accelerate and change.

"With the ongoing global economic downturn the prospects for graduates entering the job market are already a worry. These proposals will only add greater strain.

"We owe it to these young people to make sure they have the very best opportunities in the long-term."