Two top universities based in Glasgow have gone head-to-head on tuition fees in a bid to lure students from the rest of the UK.

While Strathclyde University has set fees of £9000 a year for undergraduates from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Glasgow University has announced fees of £6750, capped at £26,000 for a four-year degree.

The move by Glasgow University was welcomed by academics who praised the further education centre for showing "restraint".

Strathclyde has followed St Andrews and Edinburgh universities which have been slammed for introducing such high fees.

The increase comes after the Westminster Government introduced legislation to increase tuition fees in England and Wales from a minimum of £3000 to a maximum of £9000 a year from 2012.

The annual fee for Scottish students studying at Scottish universities – which is effectively paid for by the Scottish Government – is unchanged at £1800.

Charandeep Singh, of the University of Strathclyde Students' Association said: "We oppose all student fees and anything that could lead to the commercialisation of higher education.

"The University Court had a chance to show leadership by minimising the impact of fees at Strathclyde, instead they have chosen to charge the highest possible fees, proving that they are motivated purely by profit."

Strathclyde University Principal, Professor Jim McDonald said: "Because of new funding arrangements, universities have no choice but to charge fees for students from the rest of the UK."