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Prince William has been given a big discount on his fees for studying at Cambridge University.

He is paying around £10,000 to swot up on ­agricultural management – but sources yesterday admitted they had expected the cost to be higher because the crash course has been especially organised just for him.

The 10-week study stint is to prepare him for when he inherits the Duchy Of Cornwall from Prince Charles.

Student leaders yesterday attacked the cut-price deal, which comes as ordinary undergraduates struggle with £9,000 annual tuition fees and leave university with an average £25,000 debt.

NUS vice president Dom Anderson said: “It’s not as though the Queen has had to remortgage Buckingham Palace to help him through university.

“There are surely more deserving postgraduate students in Cambridge than the heir to the British throne who will inherit a £400million estate. Many feel the Royal Family receives quite enough of a subsidy as it is.”

Sources yesterday also said senior members of the Royal Household believed William’s aides were naive to accept the discount – and “openly score an own goal”.

William, 31, started the tailor-made course on January 7. It comes under the university’s School Of Technology – which has Prince Charles as its patron. He has 20 hours of teaching a week, including work in small groups, plus one-to-one tuition and sits with ordinary students in other classes.

William’s decision to study at Cambridge angered some students even before the discount was known about.

Student newspaper The Tab claimed William had not met the usual academic requirements, adding: “Conveniently though, his father is the registered benefactor of the department he will be studying at.”

But a former royal courtier defended William’s course, saying: “It’s good for the prince and it’s good for the university. The course will stand him in good stead for when he inherits the Duchy. He understands the responsibility and is keen to learn as much as possible from the very best in their field.”

Kensington Palace said: “The course is being funded privately so therefore I can’t comment any further.”

A university spokesman refused to discuss the financial arrangements, but said: “These courses are designed and developed for senior executives and leaders in business and, in this case, for a future king.”