The students said they oppose paying extra charges in addition to the tuition fees they already have to pay.

Steve Rackley, a second-year environmental science student, said he is already falling behind financially despite working sixteen hours a week pulling pints.

"I'm still in debt, and I have to keep working that amount of hours to keep at university," he said.

Students at a meeting to discuss proposed fees

Universities have said they need more money to compete on the international stage.

A statement from UEA officials favoured the government's top-up fee plan.

It said: "There is little doubt that good quality universities would be able to charge higher fees if this were allowed."

The government is due to publish its finding on the student fee proposal in January.