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Hundreds of Labour and Liberal Democrat election candidates signed a petition opposing any rise in university tuition fees, it has been claimed.The National Union of Students said 400 Lib Dem candidates, 200 Labour ones and 13 for the Conservatives signed it.
The union said this meant it would be difficult for higher fees to be introduced in the next parliament.
Fees are paid in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, whereas tuition is free to Scots in Scotland.
A review of university funding, ordered by the government, is due to report later in the summer.
The review is to be chaired by former BP chief Lord Browne.
The BBC's Tom Symonds said the review "is considering wholesale reform but may well recommend students pay more in fees".
'Strong position'
The petition was also signed by 200 Green party candidates and about the same number running for UKIP.
The union believes the level of support for its petition shows that any move to raise fees could be defeated if there was a hung parliament after the election.
Aaron Porter, president-elect of the NUS, said: "We feel that there could be as many as two or three hundred MPs in the next parliament that have already said that they would be prepared to vote against higher fees."
The NUS leader said this meant "whatever the composition of the next parliament", there would not be enough support to "push through higher fees".
Mr Porter said this "puts students in a strong position" to ensure that fees do not increase and a "fairer alternative" is pursued.This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.