STUDENTS are demanding a university cuts course and housing fees as they feel they are paying too much during the coronavirus pandemic.

The University of Sussex has been rocked by campaigns by two groups calling for financial help for cash-strapped scholars.

About 150 students have begun a rent strike demanding the university cancel halls fees for the rest of the year and reimburses those who have paid for a third term.

Meanwhile law student Shanavi Dessai, 18, has written an open letter signed by hundreds of international students at Sussex calling for their course fees to be discounted.

Some are paying as much as £23,000 a year, far more than their British counterparts.

The Argus: About 150 students have begun a rent strike demanding housing payments are waived for the third termAbout 150 students have begun a rent strike demanding housing payments are waived for the third term

“My country closed down on the 18th so I had to fly home on the 17th,” said Ms Dessai, from India.

“We’re not having proper seminars. This isn’t the education I’m paying £16,750 a year for. It feels unfair.

“We sent them an open letter and we got a reply from the pro-vice chancellor saying it’s still a high quality of education. The way they’re talking to us is quite condescending.

“But I was speaking to some of my friends and a lot of them can’t access their classes. Zoom is banned in China for example.”

Journalism student Saumya Jain, 22, said she has not had an lecture in person since February due to staff strikes and the coronavirus pandemic.

She was unable to return to India before its borders closed and has now joined in on the rent strike on campus.

The Argus: A fifth of University of Sussex students are still living on campusA fifth of University of Sussex students are still living on campus

“I’m paying so much to be here but I’m not getting my education. I’m getting some YouTube tutorials,” Ms Jain said.

“No change has been made that’s valuable or important to us. My block doesn’t even have a working vending machine.

“To be very frank we haven’t had the amazing tuition we were promised.

“Some students have got exams rescheduled for the same day they’re supposed to move out. Then every Thursday we get emails saying the university cares about us.”

Fellow journalism student Priyam Marick, 22, is also stranded on campus after India closed its borders.

The Argus: The University of Sussex students no longer living on campus will not have to pay rentThe University of Sussex students no longer living on campus will not have to pay rent

“I’m on a student loan and I need to get a job as soon as I graduate so I can start paying it back,” he said.

“But I need a good portfolio for that and I can’t do that without equipment and software in the lab.

“The least they can do is give students financial help.”

A University of Sussex spokesman said those no longer living on campus will not have to pay rent, a move costing the university £5 million.

But it insists tuition fees will continue to apply for all students in line with Government guidance.

“The university continues to provide all students with access to their courses,” he said. “Although the mode of delivery has moved online, we are committed to providing a high standard of academic provision.

"Essential services for all campus residents are running.”

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund