LIVERPOOL academics last night insisted poorer students would not be priced out of university, just weeks ahead of a review to decide whether tuition fees should rise.

The pledge came as Lord Mandelson – now responsible for higher education – gave the strongest indication yet that tuition fees could increase.

Polls suggest up to two-thirds of vice-chancellors want to remove the current fees cap of around £3,000 – with an average of £6,500 the preferred amount.

With fees possibly being hiked up to £9,000 a year, experts predict some students may never be able to pay back their debts.

Speaking ahead of an independent review on university tuition fees in the autumn, Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, called on universities to ensure students from lower income backgrounds are not priced out by any rise in fees.

He said: “I do not believe that we can separate the issues of fees, access and student support.

“Any institution that wants to use greater costs to the student to fund excellence must face an equal expectation to ensure that its services remain accessible to more than just those with the ability to pay.”

The Russell Group which represents the 20 top universities – including the University of Liverpool – insists a student’s background or finance has little impact on whether they apply for university – pointing to huge demand for places this year despite variable fees.

And last night a University of Liverpool spokeswoman insisted it was doing all it could to accommodate “disadvantaged but able students” and had won praise from the government for the £6m it annually commits “to support students through substantial bursaries and scholarships.”

Schemes include an Opportunity and Achievement Scholarship “to support outstanding students from low-income backgrounds with a £4,000 a year bursary.”

The University of Liverpool has also pledged to continue to put money aside for bursaries should tuition fees increase.

It also runs a Scholars Scheme aimed at Year 12 pupils from schools without a strong record of progression to higher education gain entry to the University of Liverpool.

Participants receive academic tutoring and a guaranteed conditional offer and a maximum non-repayable bursary towards tuition fees.

John Moores University (LJMU) has admitted it would probably increase fees further if the Government permits.

But it told a council probe into tuition fees last year that, since the introduction of top-up fees, one third of the extra income was spent on helping disadvantaged students take up places.

A LJMU spokeswoman said: “LJMU currently ensures that students from low income backgrounds are supported via our bursary schemes, which are among the most generous in the country.

“ Helping students from lower income backgrounds is fundamental to LJMU’s mission and we will always aim to continue to provide such support.”

Professor Gerald Pillay, Vice Chancellor of Liverpool Hope University has voiced fears thousands of students will be put off going to university if fees are allowed to rise.

And last night Hope’s pro-vice chancellor Professor Bill Chambers told the Daily Post: “We do not anticipate putting fees up above the rate of inflation in the immediate future.

“I still believe that university is a good investment.”

Dr John Cater, vice chancellor at Edge Hill University has spoken out against any rise in tuition fees.

He said: “This is the wrong time to demand more.”