(Andy)-- As a final year student, I have experienced what being out of money means. The introduction of tuition fees makes it worse.

(Prof. Andrew Oswald )-- I'm sorry. But why should other people (mostly poorer than you will be in your life) pay instead for you?

(Andy)-- You have always said students should pay more money. What do you think of less well off students/families. Don't you think your idea will put middle class students off going to university.

(Prof. Andrew Oswald )--I have argued, often, for a large scholarship fund for students from hard-up homes. I am not very sympathetic to middle-class students. They should pay for themselves. Why should ordinary taxpayers, earning 10-20,000 a year, have to pay for them?

(Andy)-- I understand the fact, you say universities need more money. Why not concentrate on funding universities via other means.

(Prof. Andrew Oswald )--Because your approach boils down to someone else paying for students. We should pay our own bills in life, don't you think?

(Andy)-- It will be a good idea, if you visit students at their houses, and halls, and ask them the impact your proposed idea will have on them.

(Prof. Andrew Oswald )--The evidence is very clear that a UK degree raises lifetime earnings by nearly half a million pounds. Students in the US pay about 17,000 pounds a year. I am afraid I must encourage you to stop thinking about what would make you happy, as a student, and start thinking about what is right for Britain and taxpayers and fairness. Forgive me for sounding so harsh.

University students in the UK have an incredible under-priced deal at the moment. That is not fair, and it is leaving our universities falling further behind, and my department's young lecturers earning far less than an our graduating economics students make in their very first year.

Ukstudentnews.co.uk, will like to thanks Prof. Andrew Oswald for this interview.