Posters went up telling people they had to pay and what would happen if they didn't

Simon Dodd

Up to 1,000 students will take to the streets in Derby, claiming the university planned to punish those who had failed to pay up for their courses.

Students from Nottingham, Leicester, Oxford, York and Coventry are expected to pledge their support to the Derby students.

Simon Dodd, one of those responsible for organising the protest, said: "Posters went up telling people they had to pay and what would happen if they didn't.

"We were told they were meant as a gentle reminder, but they were really a threat," Mr Dodd said.

As a whole, students did not have much money and struggled to pay up, he said.

These aren't threats - they are reminders of the responsibility they have had since they registered

University of Derby

"In the past the university has been quite good about letting people pay in instalments but that does not seem to be happening this time," Mr Dodd said.

The University of Derby maintains that those who have not paid represent a very small group of the student body.

"We have reminded and encouraged them to pay and we have now got to a situation where we have to claim back the fees," spokeswoman Sue Dakin said.

Responsibility

Ms Dakin said students had been informed of the need to pay their tuition fees when they signed up for courses.

"These aren't threats - they are reminders of the responsibility they have had since they registered.

"And there is also an issue of fairness - we can't have a situation where some pay and others don't," Ms Dakin said.

As the end of the academic year drew closer, the university would take steps to recover the debt.

"As a public body we have an obligation to collect outstanding debts," she said.

The university was sympathetic to student hardship and offered various access grants, Ms Dakin added.