Published Wednesday, 06 July 2011
Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry will make his first key decision on Thursday when the Executive puts forward its definitive proposal on tuition fees for Northern Ireland students to be debated by the assembly later.
Despite the fact that the major parties in the region pledged not to raise fees, fears remained that they would be forced to boost them to plug a university funding gap.
The decision follows massive rises in fees of up to £9,000 a year in England and Wales.
"It all depends of course on the Executive meeting tomorrow and if things go well, and we expect they will, Northern Ireland students will have their fees frozen at the current level of £3,200," UTV's Political Editor Ken Reid revealed on UTV Live.
"Students from England, Scotland and Wales are likely to be asked to pay a bit more, perhaps around £5,000."
UTV understands that students from the Republic of Ireland will not be charged higher fees, in accordance to EU rules.
Without a hike in tuition fees, the local universities are facing a £40m funding shortfall.
A statement from Queen's University said: "We have made the universities case to our local politicians if Northern Ireland is to hold on to a world-class higher education sector, the £40m funding gap needs to be filled.
"If it isn't this will lead to more job losses, fewer courses and student numbers being cut. Queen's is pleased that our politicians have recognised the high quality and value of higher education in Northern Ireland and is hopeful that they will make the right decision and find the shortfall."
In a report on the issue to the Department of Employment and Learning, Joanne Stuart from the Institute of Directors recommended a higher fee cap of close to £6,000 a year.
Her report, which went out for public consultation, recommended higher fees in light of the Browne Review in England and the outcome of the UK Comprehensive Spending Review.