Just out of interest, how many current PhD students would NOT have done a PhD had they had to pay these top up fees?

Not entirely sure what you mean as top-up fees are associated with undergrad courses.

PhD fees are higher anyway and some people HAVE to pay them if they are self-funded (even higher for international students?).

DanB

Don't PhD satudents have top up fees too now?

I'm considering doing a PhD next year but if I have to pay top up fees I won't be able to afford it

No, there are fees like any other course at University but you don't normally pay them if you are funded. Most of the time the funding covers them as well as your cost of living.

That's great, thanks a lot guys!

Ditto DanB, top ups won't affect you, although it begs the question how top up fees will affect people's degree choices, knowing that they have alot to pay back. Could this spell the end for the history degree?