University bosses are going to charge parents to attend their children’s graduation.
Manchester Metropolitan University want mums and dads – who’ve already paid for rent, food, and university fees – to pay £11 a seat for to witness the crowning moment of their offspring’s education. Most universities normally issue students with two complementary tickets so that family can attend.
But MMU – Britain's most-popular university – has ditched the free policy and is now charging graduates £22 for their allocation of two seats. Bosses at the university say they were forced to introduce the charge to cover the on-going costs of hiring the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester city centre, although the venue has been used in previous years.
An MMU spokesman said: “We reluctantly introduced the charge to cover the costs of the Bridgewater Hall as it is the best possible venue in the city.”
Comment: Graduation levy is a fee too far
Nearly 8,000 students will receive their degrees at a series of ceremonies next month.
But mum Jacqueline Coleman, whose 21-year-old son Euwan is being awarded a sports degree, complained proud
parents were being ‘blackmailed’ into paying the fee.
Jacqueline, from Stretford, said: “I think this incredibly cheeky. There was no fee when I graduated from university and I don't see many other places charging for mums and dads to go along. We already have to pay for photos and gown hire.
“Parents aren't going to refuse as they want to see their children get their degrees. They’re just squeezing us for all they can."
Manchester and Salford Universities, which use their own venues for the ceremonies, said they had no plans to introduce a charge and would continue to offer two tickets to graduates free of charge. Salford charges £15-a-seat for any extra seats.
Last year, MMU overtook Manchester University as the country's most-popular university.
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Well after the £30 to £50k to get their kid through the degree, another £11 isn't going to be much.
Utterly unfair, they should all boycott it in protest - not usually a fan of the student union but where are they when there is a real issue? No quote from them, isn't this something they ought to be fighting against on behalf of their members?
I bought 2 extra tickets about 2 weeks ago, the payment was duplicated due to a technical fault, I have now been told I will have to wait a month for the refund! Thankyou MMU!
This is exploitation, they know that most will pay to see their childrens proudest moment. It's like the hire of the gown and the photo's. I was a mature student and graduated at 42 years old, my gown cost about £35 to hire for the morning and the photo's (two posed and one shaking the chancelors hand) cost £45. Don't get me wrong, I didn't begrudge paying it but to now add a fee so that your parents can attend is adding to the exploitation, what are they going to charge for next? the actual certificate.
I don't have a problem with them charging. It costs thousands to hire a city centre venue and it has to be paid for somehow. If students don't like it then maybe next time the University should opt for using one of their own buildings like the others do.
£11?, it should be tripled.
£11?, it should be tripled.
at £11 they are not going to take a ridiculous amount. They are more likely covering costs on a huge venue. Other universities charge through the roof for things like food anyway, which most people end up paying
surely in the university there is a room big enough to hand out the diplomas etc, then no cost,simples
People are going to have to change their mindset about education. It is no longer some form of benevolent institution interested in the well being of students.
Education is now huge business mainly run, as in any business, for the benefit of the few at the top. Their business model mirrors that of any other corporation where demand outstrips supply, such as some premier football clubs, the punters/students are seen as a source of income to be milked for all they are worth. Welcome to 21st century education.
this has to be a joke! if not its a utter disgrace!!!!
Salford University DO NOT use their own venue. Graduation ceremonies take place at The Lowry.
Its was around £18 at Portsmouth. Paying is bad enough, but to expect it to carry after the huge increases in fees?
£11 is not so bad but if the student is self supporting or comes from a disadvantaged background ie single parent upbringing, then a fund should be put in place to pay for this. I don't think many parents will begrudge this amount as it is a special day that everyone will enjoy and will remember for always.
Assuming that two parents when to see there child graduate at a cost of £11.00 per parent. That would bring the actual income to £176,000.00 for the hire of the Bridgewater hall and amenities i.e chairs etc.
Somehow that seems a tad expensive to me.
There must be other venues in the city that are suitable and cost a lot less. Surely.
I graduated from the University of Nottingham and there it was £15 per guest, and was held in the university sports hall - it felt more like school sports day reception than my supposedly proudest day. When I learnt my friend at MMU a) didn't pay b) had the presentations at the Bridgewater I was pretty impressed. It's sad it's come to this now, but £11 for a much nicer setting, I wish I'd had that!
There is also the point that going to a graduation ceremony is not compulsory - for my first degree I couldn't make it, and so had my certificates posted to me.
Finally, if you think that the increased fees are going on students, well you're somewhat naive ... all those shiny new buildings, vanity projects and hordes of non-teaching staff don't pay for themselves you know ...
If parents choose to pay rent, food, and university fees for their student offspring that is a private arrangement between adults, nothing to do with the university.
The university is covering costs, and expecting those who attend an event to fund it.
Well done to the university for raising money and easing the burden on the taxpayer.
Ha! I went to Huddersfield University where they charged £20 a ticket with a maximum of 2 tickets in the venue, I had to buy 2 more for additional family members at a charge of £15 each so they could watch the ceremony live on a tv screen elsewhere - all within Uni grounds. When looking at the fees I paid then looking at the facilities/actual time spent with tutors I find the whole thing a total rip off!
I don't mind paying to watch my son graduate, it is the venue I object to. The Bridgewater hall is not that great and parking is an issue. Maybe if they are going to charge us we should have a say in the choice of venue.
Salford are charging more.
A mother says, "Jacqueline, from Stretford, said: “I think this incredibly cheeky. There was no fee when I graduated from university....."
Chances are love, when you went to university all those years ago, the world and his wife did not. What's the problem with some of these cosseted students paying something towards their fees, food and rent, instead of relying on Mum & Dad? I know it's radical, but how about a part-time job? Works well enough in the USA and other European countries.....Eu
I think you mean complimentary not complementary.
The flood gates have opened on these universities now, you aint getting nothing for free anymore. every extra activity will be associated with a cost, the universities are smelling the money and they are all having it. Profit 1st education 2nd, get used to it becuase no-one is ever going to put this monkey back in its cage!!!
I was due to graduate in July 2009 but failed one module. My brother still graduated that day. Tickets were free and most people got up to 5.
Next year I passed, but was told no more than 3 graduation tickets, and at about £20 each. This was for the 2010 year - higher than it is now, and it wasn't newsworthy last year...
After being in the audience in the 2009 year, I didn't see what was so special about shaking the VC's hand. So on hearing it would be at least £40 for my family to turn up, I didn't bother...
I'm at uni. I thought the cost would be triple that!! The bridgewater hall isn't free! I pay £30-40 for a football match. £11 for a one of graduation isn't the end of the world. If it wasnt paid for that is just mnoney from the uni budget, so either way the student would be worse of.They woulod just have £11 pound less spent per head.