Students have protested over the increase in fees which see them graduating with huge debts.

The Queen's Speech at the state opening of parliament on Wednesday has given the assembly decision-making authority over top-up fees for the first time.

Many students will leave college thousands of pounds in debt and future students face even higher tuition fees.

In England, they could treble to �3,000, but in Wales, the decision will be left to the Welsh Assembly Government.

Swansea Institute of Higher Education student union president Amy Lowther said: "I'm fully against top-up fees. My parents could afford to help me but at least 80% of students here can't afford fees."

The Welsh Assembly Government does not want to increase fees - and will not do so for the next four years - but it faces a difficult decision.

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Swansea Institute's Principal David Warner said: "If the assembly decides not to allow institutions to charge top up fees, then the assembly will have to find money from its hard-pressed budget or students in Wales will suffer."

The Education Bill is one of several in the Queen's Speech that will have an impact in Wales, in areas as varied as the fire service, tackling national emergencies, and pensions.

The Welsh Conservatives have demanded that much more attention to be given to Wales in the Queens' speech. They say that major Bills should have Welsh-only versions.

They want specific Welsh Bills covering higher education funding, identity cards, bills to fund a new national gallery and the National Botanic Garden at Middleton.

They are also looking for legislation to limit council tax increases, to help first time buyers and to make St David's Day a public holiday.