An internal university document has revealed that the university is planning to charge the maximum fees of £9,000 allowed under the government’s new higher education proposals.

The information, obtained by a number of news organisations earlier today, shows that a working group within the university is currently considering charging the maximum fees for all subjects.

A section of the report says, “The level of tuition fee charged from 2012 entry should be the maximum permissible, i.e. £9,000 pa with any subsequent adjustment for inflationary increases.”

Although most people had expected Cambridge and Oxford to take the lead in charging the highest fees allowed, this is the first official information heard from the university.

A further point of interest within the document states that the working group expects “most if not all our peers” to charge the highest fees possible. This is at odds to MPs who suggested last year that the full fees would be charged to a minority of courses.

A University spokesperson said, “The report and the responses to the consultation will help the University’s Council decide what arrangements it wishes to propose for the fees, financial support for students and access provisions to OFFA by its deadline of 31 March.”

Further information within the document shows that Cambridge will be making an active attempt to support those students from poorer backgrounds.

One proposal states that students whose family income is less than £25,000 will only be applicable for tuition fees of £6,000.

In addition, a bursary of £1,625 will be offered to students whose parents earn less than £25,000.

This bursary falls to zero once family income rises over £42,000.

CUSU president Rahul Mansigani commented, "Cambridge offers a fantastic educational experience: with a tripling of the standard fee to £9000, the need for proactive Access work from the University is more important than ever.”

Preservation of access may be an issue given that the current cash bursary of £3,400 is being cut to £1,625 under the new proposals. The fee waver of £3,000 does however make up for the fall in the cash bursary.

The university is said to be limiting use of the maintenance bursary due to a “shortfall between costs and income”.

Despite the increase in fees, the document suggests the university will still be experiencing a significant funding gap due to the government’s spending cuts.

Aaron Porter, President of the NUS, said in a statement, ““It comes as absolutely no surprise that Cambridge University intends to charge students the maximum amount it is permitted to. The Government have completely failed to put any restrictions, or even disincentives, in place to stop universities asking for as much money as possible from students.”