Efforts are continuing to recruit more secondary teachers

Tuition fee arrangements will apply to the one-year postgraduate courses currently funded by the government, the higher education regulator has said.

The National Union of Students claimed any charges might put people off courses and add to teaching shortages.

But the government said a funding review had not reached any conclusions.

'Think again'

NUS president Kat Fletcher said: "The government has justified top-up fees by suggesting graduates will earn vast sums of money, with little or no regard for lower-paid professions such as teaching, nursing, social work and charity work.

"These are all vital jobs which make a huge contribution to society and which the government will undoubtedly be focusing on in the run up to next year's general election."

Charges would "make many prospective students think again before committing to a career in teaching", she added.

The Office for Fair Access said one-year Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) courses were covered by the Higher Education Act, which brings in variable tuition fees in two years' time.

A total of 33,739 people applied to start PGCE, or equivalent, courses in Britain this autumn, a rise of 7.5% on the previous year.

However, there is a shortage of secondary school teachers, particularly in areas like maths and science.

Ongoing review

Conservative higher education spokesman Chris Grayling has written to the Education Secretary, Ruth Kelly, for an explanation of the government's funding plans for PGCEs.

He wanted to know whether medical students might also be affected.

A Department for Education and Skills spokeswoman said: "As people know, we commissioned the Gateways to the Professions Report earlier this year to look at the impact of variable fees on entry to the public professions.

"That work is still continuing. As we have stated before, we will make an announcement in good time so that students know the situation at least a year ahead of taking up their courses."

The Teacher Training Agency has also commissioned a review of funding, with the results expected next summer.