Ms Smith said her party had ruled out up-front tuition fees and a pure graduate tax and instead declared themselves in favour of a deferred fees system facilitated through income contingent loans.

BBC: Higher education debate

Both routes involve training towards a PGCE (post-graduate certificate in secondary education) and tuition fees are payable.

BBC: Teachers: Nearly one in three trainees does not stay

Then all withdrawals are federally tax-free as long as the money is used for college or graduate school expenses, including tuition, fees and room and board.

FORBES: A Gift From The IRS

Then all withdrawals are federally tax free as long as the money is used for college or graduate school expenses, including tuition, fees and room and board.

FORBES: Give Now

Those who borrow from the government to pay tuition fees need repay the loan only after they graduate and start earning steady money.

ECONOMIST: University finances

The UCU lecturers' union warned that graduate pay was not keeping pace with the forthcoming increase in tuition fees - and that the rewards of going to university would be diminished.

BBC: Graduate job outlook 'recovering'