The Burdened Learner: Struggling to Pay the Price for Knowledge

The constant increase in tuition fees for students has become a major concern, especially for those who lack proper financial support. This has led to students being unable to afford advanced courses, which negatively impacts their morale and behavior. The situation is even more dire in the US, where teachers are demanding higher fees to provide better services, making it even harder for students to cope. In the UK, inflation is a major factor contributing to the rise in tuition fees, leaving students with no choice but to pay more for education. This trend has led to a significant strain on students' finances, making it difficult for them to pursue their educational goals.

Purposes 1 (EAP 1) Portfolio (EAPA3004) RESIT
This is your EAP 1 Portfolio. Please save a copy on your computer and back it up regularly (e.g. by
saving it on your computer / in the cloud (e.g. Google Drive) / emailing it to yourself. You will
receive a printed copy which you should bring to all lectures and tutorials. However, at the end of
the course, you need to submit a completed electronic copy. Please refer to suggested word counts
for each task included within this portfolio.
Assessed Learning Outcomes (LOs):
1. Produce cohesive and coherent elements of academic writing.
2. Read, compare and summarise written academic texts.
Week Contents Page Learning
Outcome
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence
(These tasks will often be drafted in class and are designed to inform the written task in section 2.
Suggested word counts are included are in brackets.)
1 Portfolio evidence I: Self-evaluation checklist 3 LO 1 & 2
4 Portfolio evidence II: Summarising
(recommended word count: 100)
4 LO 1 & 2
4-5 Portfolio evidence III: Outline
(recommended word count: 100)
6 LO 2

6 Portfolio evidence IV: Paragraph structure
(recommended word count: 250)
7 LO 2
9 Portfolio evidence V: Self-assessment
(recommended word count: at least 100)
8 LO 1 & 2
Section 2: Written Task
(The written task should be developed throughout the semester but completed in weeks 7-10.)
1 - 10 Academic writing [compare and contrast essay relevant to
higher education]
(word count: 750 words)
10 LO 1 & 2
Total word count: Written Task (750 words) + Evidence (Approx. 850 words)
(+/- 10%)
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence I
Self-evaluation checklist
Below is a list of the skills you will need when working on extended pieces of writing during your
university career. The work you do on the EAP 1 course will help you develop these skills.
Tick the appropriate box for each skill, according to how well you think you can do this at the
beginning of this course. Look again at the checklist throughout the course in order to identify
areas for independent study.
Skills Do not
know
about this
Find this
difficult/
can’t do
this
Can
partially
do this
Can do
this well
Looking for information
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Identify which books/journals/websites to
use
 ☐ ☐ ☐
Select relevant parts of a text ☐  ☐ ☐
Using sources
Acknowledge sources of information ☐  ☐ ☐
Avoid plagiarism ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Planning/ writing
Brainstorm ideas ☐ ☐  ☐
Plan written work ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Link ideas effectively ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Paraphrase & summarise ideas ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Write an introduction ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Write a conclusion ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Personal study
Work independently ☐  ☐ ☐
Manage my time ☐ ☐  ☐
Oral presentation
Discuss written work in a tutorial ☐ ☐ ☐ 
IT
Access the internet ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Use search engines ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Create word documents ☐ ☐ ☐ 
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Section 1: Portfolio Evidence II
Summarising (recommended word count: 100)
2.a.i.1. Find a text on university fees in the country of your choice (around 200 words) and paste
it below, in part 1. Then, read the two texts and highlight the main points.
PART 1:
Text 1:
University fees in England
“University tuition fees in England will rise to £9,250 per year from 2017 and the increase could apply to
students who have already started courses. The inflation-linked rise represents a 2.8% increase and if that
continued would mean fees rising above £10,000 in the next few years. Universities face the dilemma that
under consumer protection requirements they will need to announce the £9,250 fee before the beginning of
the next application cycle in early September. However, until formally changed by Parliament, universities
are not allowed to charge a fee higher than £9,000, which is the current limit.
The government says the increase can apply to students who have already begun courses - but this will
depend on the terms of student contracts in individual universities. The fees will increase in subsequent
years. Royal Holloway and the University of Kent have to still to decide on whether to charge higher fees
for current students, but expect to apply them to new students starting in 2017, if the fee limit increase
goes ahead. The University of Surrey will not increase fees for its current undergraduates, but fees will
increase each year for students starting in 2017.
Universities minister Jo Johnson has published a statement setting out plans to link higher fees to better
teaching. Liberal Democrat university spokeswoman Baroness Lorely Burt said: "Linking fees to teaching
quality in this way is unacceptable. Enabling any university that scrapes a 'meet expectations' rating to
increase fees by 2.8% shows that this isn't about teaching quality at all. If universities need further support
then let's have a proper discussion about where that money comes from, rather than pretending that this is
somehow a quid pro quo for providing the quality of teaching students should already be able to expect".
Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust education charity, said the fee increase will add to student
debts that we have shown to be by far the highest in the English-speaking world. A real concern is that the
removal of maintenance grants will almost certainly deter poorer students, who now face debts of over
£50,000 on graduation”.
From: Coughlan, S. (2017). University tuition fees rise to £9,250 for current students –BBC News.
[online] BBC News. Available at:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-36856026 [Accessed 19 Jan.
2017].
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2.Make some notes of the most important points, using your own words, in part 2 below.
PART 2:
Notes (Text 1):
University of England have effective focus on advancement in tuition fees with a diverse
changes in norms every year. In UK fee has changed to £9,250 in year 2017 and it is also applicable
for those students those who are studying or have taken admission already. By looking upon the
inflation rates it can be sated that till next year university will raise its fees approx. £10,000. They have
announced that students will have to submit fees of £9,250 in early September. Increase in college
payments is subject term of student’s agreement. Some universities of England has decided that they
will apply this policy of increase tuition fees but it will be applicable to new students who will take
admission in new batches of 2017. The real concern of authorities is to remove the maintenance grants
that would be beneficial of the educational department and it will be beneficial for students as well.
3.Answer the question in part 3 below, using your notes.
PART 3:
What are the similarities and differences between universities in England and
…………………………. in relation to tuition fees? Why are they important?
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It has been noticed that tuition fee of England university is £9,250, when it is compared with USA it
can be referred as $9,139. It means the USA is having low cost education system which assist students
to attain diverse benefits. However, the costing difference is not high which improved the overall
performance. Universities in both of the nation are having proper guidelines and advancement in fee
structure. Also, key difference is that UK government does not think fee structure improvement can
advance the quality of teaching. On the other side, USA government is looking forward to advance
cost of education so that facilities in terms of education system can also improve to meet quality
practice. However, the key motive of both universities is to have promotion of self-development values
and ensure that better opportunities are being promoted.
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Section 1: Portfolio Evidence III
Outline (recommended word count: 200)
Complete your essay outline below. An outline is a map of the main ideas included in your essay.
You should not write full sentences, just notes of the main points that you are going to write in
each paragraph of your essay, along with in-text referencing details (MB=Main Body).
TITL
E
Comparison between two education systems of different universities.
IN
TR
OD
UC
TI
ON
In order to meet the criteria of inflation rate the tuition fee within universities are being
advanced. It has increased the education costing for the students. For attaining better
knowledge and high quality education the students are paying more amount to universities.
MB
Paragr
aph 1
Paragraph Focus: ……………………………..
Country A: England Country B:
USA
Tuition fee is £9,250 US$9,139 is
tuition fee.
MB
Paragr
aph 2
Paragraph Focus: …………………………………..
Country A: England Country B:
USA
Government is trying to reduce the relationship between cost and
education system effectiveness so that ethical practice can be advanced.
Authorities are
focusing on
cost factor
effectively to
ensure that
good quality
education can
be promoted.
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CO
NC
LU
SIO
N
Summary of main points
According to standards the issues in terms of fee are most common subject which need to be
referred by experts. It is also necessary to have understanding that USA universities are
having cost advancement for improving quality of education. In UK the authorities are trying
to improve the standards that can reduce link between fee and education system service.
Recommendations/suggestions/predictions
It is significant for government to make sure that education system must be improved with
application of diverse standards. Also, the course work areas need to be advanced without
increasing the fee so that better opportunities can be attained. It is also necessary to have
activities that can improve the interest among students to attain diverse course enrolment.
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence IV
Paragraph structure (recommended word count: 300, including notes)
Write a MB paragraph for your essay below (funding OR quality). Then, highlight its parts
using a different colour for each one of them. Use the following colour code:
Topic sentence: RED
Country A (England): BLUE
Country B
(……………………):
GREEN
Concluding sentence: ORANGE
In-text reference: PURPLE
Write your paragraph here. Then, colour the different parts.
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Universities of England are having advancement in fee structure in order to collaborate with inflation
rate. If inflation aspects are not properly maintained then it will affect the operations of education
institutes. It has also been stated that fee can be reduced with an effective control in the inflation rate.
On the other side, USA Universities are having change in feed structure for better improvement in
quality standards. According to US experts the better costing and investment on facilities will attract
more students towards education which will also provide advanced support. High investment can be
fulfilled with changes in fee which will assist in improving standards. However, it also affects the
student’s morale because they do not have much money to resolve the issue.
Analysis of both aspects indicates that UK universities are most focused towards ethical working so
they are only increasing fee in order to ensure about operational values. However, USA universities are
advancing fee to have better profit so that more investment opportunities can be discovered.
Chapman, B. and Sinning, M., 2014. Student loan reforms for German higher education: financing
tuition fees. Education Economics. 22(6). pp.569-588.
Griggs, S. and Howarth, D., 2017. Discourse, policy and the environment: hegemony, statements and
the analysis of UK airport expansion. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning. pp.1-15.
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Section 1: Portfolio Evidence V
Essay self-assessment form (recommended word count: 100)
Complete this form before you submit your portfolio.
Type a few comments below in relation to how well
you have addressed the following criteria in your
essay.
ESSAY STRUCTURE
A. Has a clear structure including
an introduction, body paragraphs,
conclusion & bibliography.
To have effective report, key following aspects are
referred properly.
B. Has a clear thesis statement that
states the sub-topics and position.
Diverse thesis are being accessed in order to gather the
ethical information about the subject
C. Has clear topic sentences in
each main body paragraph.
Every section covers an clear statement about the subject
D. Has features of an essay not a
report, i.e. no headings, no bullet
points etc.
Proper headings and sub headings are being provided for
better presentation
CONTENT
E. Has compared directly between
the two countries in each
paragraph.
Proper comparison has been provided between USA
and UK universities
F. Has commented on what we
learn from the comparisons.
Learning has been presented with an help of
conclusion
G. Has included suitable
background information in the
introduction.
Appropriate background has been presented
H. Has included a suitable
summary and position in the
conclusion.
Yes
I. Has written 750 words (+/-
10%).
Yes
USE OF SOURCES AND REFERENCING
J. Has a minimum of 2 sources per
paragraph.
Yes
K. Has in-text citations which
follow Harvard style. E.g.
(Coughlan, 2014).
Yes
M. Has avoided plagiarism. Issue of plagiarism has been taken into account
properly.
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USE OF ENGLISH
N. Writes accurate sentences. 
O. Spells and punctuates
accurately. 
P. Uses a range of language. 
Q. Writes in an appropriate
academic style. 
Things you feel competent at (approx. 50 words):
I am more attracted towards attaining better knowledge about education system which can motivated
me to select the topic. In order to meet the standards it was essential to made proper comparison
among universities which can created competence values. With an evolution of diverse factors the
competent aspects are being promoted.
Things you need to work on (approx. 50 words):
It is necessary for me to have improvement in time management skills so that better work efficiency
can be maintained. Due to lack of time management skills I have faced diverse issues in terms of work
management. It has delayed the overall project deadline. It means improvement in such skills will
allow to overcome issues effectively.
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Section 2: Written Task
Academic Writing (750 words)
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Please type your essay below (750 words). Your chosen country should be different from the
country you may have chosen in a previous term.
Make sure that:
 Your essay has an appropriate title, an introduction, two main body paragraphs, a
conclusion and a reference list.
 You have used at least 2 references (in-text citations) in each of your main body paragraphs (at
least 4 references in total).
 You have discussed BOTH countries in EACH of your main body paragraphs (point-by-point
approach).
Title
:
Compare and contrast the higher education system in England with that of …………………. in
terms of funding and quality. Which system is preferable?
Title: To analyse comparison between education system of England and USA
Introduction:
Report will provide an evolution of education system between USA and England. It will also
provide an information in regard to fee structure and its impact on the education system.
Main Body
According to detailed analysis, England University is more focused towards ethical working in
order to have sustainable opportunities. It has been noticed that quality education can be promoted
effectively with a help of teachers and concern authorities. Number of workplace standards in terms of
education system need to be advanced effectively so that students can attain better quality of
education. Every year the university of England is having advancement in fee due to high level of
inflation rate. It has been noticed that in year 2017 the fee has been increased to £9,250 in comparison
with 2016. Changes in fee structure is also applicable to old students so that key motive of meeting
inflation standards can be overcome (Charles, 2013). It is also being expected by the experts that by
the end of year 2018 the England university will have advancement of fee structure by £10000. It is
also being analysed that new policy will be employed under which students need to submit fee in
advance by the end of September. However, it is considered as one of critical issue which will impact
the overall development of education system.
On the other hand the USA University is also effectively focused towards advancement in fee for
better investment funds. It means the Universities are having advancement in fee of courses so that
more funds can be generated which can be invested back on improvement in facilities. It indicates that
key motive behind the fee advancement in USA is to have effective development of student facilities.
In USA number of universities are facing issues in terms of student’s facilities due to lack of funds. By
having an application of such practice the USA Universities are trying to overcome the issue (Harwood
and Petrić, 2011). In other words, it can be said that authorities are having changes in fee for attai8ning
better monetary benefits.
It has also been noticed that USA teachers and professors who have advanced knowledge about
the subject are also more focused towards charging high tuition fee. In comparison of both universities,
it can be said that morale of students within USA is getting affected in negative manner due to increase
in fee. For example, students are not having proper sources of finance which impact their education
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program. It does not allow them to pay fee for advanced courses which impact their morale and
behavioural aspects. In this respect, it is necessary for government authorities to introduce few scholars
programs so that proper funding support can be offered to members (Pérez-Llantada and Swales,
2016). However, both the universities have introduced some guidelines in order to have sustainable
employment of designed policies. . It is also necessary to have understanding that USA universities are
having cost advancement for improving quality of education. In UK the authorities are trying to
improve the standards that can reduce link between fee and education system service. . Also, key
difference is that UK government does not think fee structure improvement can advance the quality of
teaching. On the other side, USA government is looking forward to advance cost of education so that
facilities in terms of education system can also improve to meet quality practice. In order to meet the
criteria of inflation rate the tuition fee within universities are being advanced. It has increased the
education costing for the students. For attaining better knowledge and high quality education the
students are paying more amount to universities (Grabe and Zhang, 2013).
Conclusion
On the basis of above study, it can be concluded that England and USA both universities are
having advancement in fee of diverse sources in order to meet the objectives. By having an application
of diverse guidelines the issues in terms of sustainability can be overcome. Along with this, it has been
noticed that teachers are also demanding high fee in the US in order to provide better support to the
norms of universities and government. However, in UK the inflation is one of key reason behind the
advancement in fee every year. It means government need to focus on economic policies more
effectively so that better outcome in terms of inflation can be attained. It will also allow to have better
control on the fee advancement.
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