A BRIGHT purple double-decker bus has set off from Anglia Ruskin University this week to offer advice and guidance at schools, colleges and community events across the region, including a visit to the Helena Romanes School in Great Dunmow.

The Roadshow bus, organised by Anglia Ruskin’s Outreach team, will deliver information for students, parents and teachers about the process of applying to university, student life, and the benefits of Higher Education.

An Ipsos MORI survey released by the social mobility charity the Sutton Trust revealed that 65 per cent of the 11-16 year-olds polled had significant concerns about university finance. Of the 2,595 youngsters who took part in the survey, 19 per cnt highlighted concerns about student living costs and 28 per cent mentioned tuition fees.

Anglia Ruskin’s experts will offer a series of talks to help dispel some of the myths surrounding student finance and the new tuition fees structure, as well as run budgeting games to show youngsters how they can make their money go further whilst at university.

Rachel Nedwell, who is responsible for outreach at Anglia Ruskin, said: “The Sutton Trust’s report highlights the main issues that youngsters are concerned about: financing their university study and whether university study is for them.

“Unsurprisingly, the current financial climate is causing students to make their decisions carefully and seek high-quality information to inform their judgements.

“However, it is crucial that no students should be deterred from going to university because of cost and it is initiatives like the Anglia Ruskin Roadshow bus that are vital in helping to get this message across.

“It is important that children and their parents realise that nothing has to be paid upfront and that tuition fees are covered by loans from the Government. Repayments on these loans do not begin until the student has graduated and is earning over £21,000.”

• To follow the bus and its activities, Anglia Ruskin staff will be tweeting updates using #AngliaBus