STUDENTS in York took part in a national day of action in protest at the Government’s higher education plans, including a walkout at a university campus in York.

The National Union of Students (NUS) said some students in the city boycotted lectures and joined rallies, marches, petition signings and other events.

Tim Ellis, University of York Student Union President, said about 50 University of York students took part in the boycott.

He said: “I hope that the day’s activities will have drawn attention to the regressive reforms and the slow privatisation of our educational system.”

The walkout comes in a week of action designed to show that high tuition fees, hidden course costs and a lack of bursaries are pricing students out of education. The NUS said it wants universities to explain the true the cost of being a student, and for the Government to spell out the future of the education system.

At York St John University a small handful of students posted leaflets on campus with some joining the protests, but lectures were unaffected and the university operated as normal.

Vice chancellor Professor David Fleming said: “We have strong sympathies with students regarding th e changes to funding and are committed to maintaining our strong track record of widening access for students at York St John University.”