University students may have to fork out more tuition each year as ministers consider increasing fees to match inflation.
The move could lead to fees rising by more than £250 next year to nearly £9,800 and could even exceed £10,000 by 2027.
It comes amid fears that universities may go bankrupt without extra funding.
The Department of Education is considering rising fees at the start of each academic year in line with the Office for Budget Responsibility inflation forecast, according to The i Paper.
Last November, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson increased tuition fees for the first time since 2017, raising fees from £9,250 to £9,535 for students starting in autumn.
