ALL UK students wanting to study at Essex University will have to pay £9,000 a year tuition fees, it has been revealed.

The university wants to charge the maximum possible amount for undergraduates starting courses from 2012, subject to approval from the Office for Fair Access.

The university insists it will offer good value for money, and will invest in more scholarships and bursaries for gifted students.

* See Wednesday's Gazette for more.