University Campus Suffolk has announced plans to charge students �7,500 for foundation degrees and �8,000 for bachelor degrees.

The university is the latest institution to announce their fee plans for 2012.

More than 20 English universities have already declared their intended fee levels for next year, with the majority planning to charge the maximum �9,000. Almost all of these are among the most selective institutions including Cambridge and Oxford.

Professor Mike Saks, Provost of University Campus Suffolk (UCS), said: 'We are a new, can do higher education institution with very good facilities, and we plan to deliver the best higher education for Suffolk.

'Our fees represent excellent value for money and will enable us to cover our costs in an increasingly tightly run and cost-effective institution. They should also allow us to deliver innovative initiatives to widen participation, improve our support and facilities for students, and build employability into the degree courses on offer.'

UCS says it will also invest over �2m in attracting students from a wide range of backgrounds.

Specific initiatives include growing the current programme of outreach activity with local schools and colleges, fee waiver schemes for students from lower income backgrounds, mentoring schemes for current and future students, and working with other community organisations to encourage mature students and part-time learners to access higher education.

UCS is a partnership between the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex, working with Lowestoft College, Great Yarmouth College, Otley College, Suffolk New College and West Suffolk College.