THE impact of higher university tuition fees have yet to be seen, Oxford Brookes University vice chancellor Janet Beer has said.

She spoke about the reforms, that allow fees up to £9,000, at the end of her term as chairman of a higher education lobby group.

In a farewell address as chairman of the University Alliance, she said the impact on subject choice, mature students and postgraduate demand will be key.

Prof Beer said: “We are waiting to see the results of the reforms.

“I feel certain that 2012/13 will not be a typical year and therefore we will have to wait for the system to bed in before we start to draw conclusions about behavioural change.”

Brookes, along with Oxford University , is to charge £9,000-a-year for some courses from September.

Reflecting on a “tumultuous” three years, she said: “While there is much to be positive about – and in particular the fact that studying for a degree remains free at the point of entry – there will inevitably be both intended and unintended consequences.”

In January, the Oxford Mail reported university applications made by county students were down 15 per cent compared to 2011.

That meant about 850 fewer youngsters applied for a place.