Controversial plans allowing universities to charge Brad-ford students up to £3,000 a year have been rubber-stamped by the Government.

The Higher Education Bill ,which will introduce 'top-up' fees from 2006 and has been opposed by the University of Bradford, was given Royal Assent yesterday.

Prime Minister Tony Blair faced one of his biggest political crisis over the deeply-unpopular variable tuition fees, which opponents claim will leave students thousands of pounds in debt.

He defeated a Commons rebellion by just five votes.

Today, University of Bradford vice-chancellor Professor Chris Taylor said: "The university remains opposed in principle to top-up fees.

"However, we will abide by the prevailing funding regime.

"We will therefore consider the level of such fees and whether they will be uniform across all courses by December 2004 to coincide with the 2006 prospectus publication deadline."

Students at the University of Bradford reacted with dismay and anger after campaigning against the bill for 18 months.

The University of Bradford Union (UBU) has lobbied MPs and taken part in national protests.

UBU communications officer Sarah Cartin said: "The impact of this bill will be disastrous for students wishing to enter higher education in the future, especially those from poorer backgrounds.

"Students have been let down by a government who broke a manifesto pledge not to introduce top-up fees."

The new Bill will abolish up-front tuition fees and graduates will not have to start repayments until they earn £15,000 a year.

It also unlocks a £2,700-a- year support package for students.

But UBU academic affairs officer said: "The university has a large percentage of mature students and students from low-income backgrounds.

"The legislation will widen the existing financial divide in higher education deterring potential students from study due to the massive debts they will incur in order to actually get through their courses."

But Education Secretary Charles Clarke said the fees were needed to give universities an additional source of independent funding to improve facilities.