University students in England will still have to pay full tuition fees even if their courses are taught online in the autumn, the UK government has said.
This comes after universities had warned of the financial dangers from a reduction in overseas students due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Universities Minister, Michael Donelan said: “We do not believe that students will be fully entitled to reimbursement if the quality is there”.
The university sector’s request for a £2bn bail-out has been rejected.
Universities – whose campuses have been closed since the outbreak – had warned about the financial danger that would develop from a reduction of overseas students.
Students are concerned about the uncertainty about whether there will be any in-person lessons or come autumn, or whether lesson will be taught full or part-time online.
Donelan added: “No formal decision has been taken on the next academic year, butif courses are taught online and students are really getting the quality, and they are getting a course fit for purpose, they would not get a discount on fees”.