UNIVERSITY tuition fees have led to students expecting a lot more from their higher education, a study has found.

According to research commissioned by specialist student lender Future Finance, 82 per cent of students in the North-East – in line with the national level - expect a higher standard of both teaching and facilities now that they are paying tuition fees.

Just over a quarter (26 per cent) of the region’s students say studying at a more expensive university is worth the extra fees, but the same proportion are not confident about the worth of the education they are receiving.

Just half of students in the North-East are confident that their education will pay for itself in the future.

Future Finance’s research, which questioned over 2,000 students across the UK, also revealed that the expectation levels of North-East students are the second highest in the country, second only to those in the West Midlands.

Jessica Reid, a University of Sunderland student, said: “Universities can’t simply demand £9,000 and provide a mediocre or satisfactory service.

“I’m making a big investment in my entire future and I want to get my money’s worth.”