THE cost of studying in Huddersfield is to soar after the town's university said it will charge full tuition fees.

University chiefs are to bring in the full £3,000-a-year fees for undergraduate courses when the Government's controversial scheme begins in 2006.

Some 85 universities have so far announced an increase in fees. Of these, only one - Leeds Metropolitan - is charging less than £3,000.

Some students will be able to get cash help, say Huddersfield University chiefs.

The decision on the fees was coupled with an announcement that 41 new lecturers are to go on the payroll.

Help of up to £1,000 a year will be available to students from lower- income backgrounds, in addition to the Government's non-repayable £2,700 maintenance grant.

Huddersfield Vice-Chancellor Prof John Tarrant said: "Many of our students will see immediate benefits, in the form of cash assistance, at the start of their courses.

"And all students will benefit from much-improved teaching and learning facilities from the fee income."

The university said that rather than discount tuition fees, it believed that upfront financial help was of more immediate benefit to students from lower-income families.

Spokesman Philip Williams said the 41 new lecturers would cover a wide range of disciplines. New facilities included the £4m students' union building.

He added: "Students have a right to expect a return on their investment and, rather than gimmicks, we believe in investing in those areas that affect them most - increased contact with teaching staff and improved facilities."