Cost of a degree 'to rise to £26,000' after tuition fee hike But large numbers of undergraduates from middle-class families are likely to be charged the full amount. The full cost of a typical three-year degree course is likely to stand at an average of £25,941 under the new system, figures suggest. The disclosure comes despite claims from ministers before the new fees regime was introduced in 2012 that universities would charge the maximum fees only in "exceptional" circumstances. Separate research published today suggested that rising numbers of students were now considering taking quicker, two-year degrees to save money. All English universities are required to draw up "access agreements" setting out fee levels alongside outreach programmes and admissions targets to ensure poor students are not put off by the new tuition fee system. Today's report, which analyses documents covering the 2014/15 academic year, shows that 26.4 per cent of income generated from higher fees - £707.5m - will be spent attempting to widen access among under-represented groups. Prof Les Ebdon, the head of OFFA, has been critical of top universities for failing to do enough to create a more balanced student body, urging them to set tough new targets to increase admissions from the poorest backgrounds. But leading universities have been critical of the requirements, claiming that much of the blame for low access rates lies with schools. Wendy Piatt, director general of the Russell Group, which represents 24 top universities across the UK, including Oxford and Cambridge, said: "It is important not to lose sight of the bigger picture - increased regulation of universities will not tackle the real issues. Russell Group universities put a lot of effort into trying to help solve problems around access to higher education but we cannot do so alone; progress continues to be limited by levels of achievement at school and a lack of advice on A-level subject choices. David Willetts, the Universities Minister, said: "No one should be put off going to university for financial reasons. Our reforms mean students do not have to pay fees upfront, there is more financial support for those from poorer families and everyone faces lower loan repayments once they are in well-paid jobs. Students understand these changes, and this year the proportion of disadvantaged English 18-year-olds applying to university is at its highest level ever. The conclusions were made as research published today revealed mounting interest in "accelerated" two-year degree courses. More than half of students surveyed by the University of the West of England "cited lower costs as the main advantage" of shorter degree. It came ahead of a conference in London today on the issue staged by Kaplan, a private college offering a range of two-year courses in law and business. Peter Houillon, Kaplan chief executive, said: "Two-year degrees are an excellent option for many students who not only save on tuition fees and living expenses, but also start earning earlier."