I know of a person who's parents wanted him to go to uni (very rightly), but his condition was that he would do whatever he liked. Any degree is good, it shows you can commit to something. From what you're saying it seems like you agree with that sort of thing, so if you are this post is kinda pointless :P I don't really have enough knowledge about this to make a really concrete argument, but it seems the students oppose the rise because it's a way of filling in government cuts, not a way of improving universities. I have a feeling its a bit of both really, but mainly filling in the gap left by government cuts.