Protesters have been arrested and flares set off as hundreds stormed Parliament Square during a demonstration against tuition fees - despite metal railings which were erected to keep them out.
Organised by several student groups, including the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, the march started off at Malet Street and wound its way down to Westminster, with more than 7,000 taking part.
Pictures emerged of police arresting demonstrators, although it is not yet clear how many or whether they have been charged.
Earlier on Wednesday, it emerged the headquarters of the National Union of Students, which controversially refused to support the protest, had been heavily graffitied.
Look at what I bumped into #NUS#scabbs#sellouts#nov19#freeeducationpic.twitter.com/AGznwgP9H2
— mayhem (@MayhemH) November 19, 2014
The BIS government building also came under fire, with protesters throwing paint bombs at the windows.
Paint has been chucked at BIS #FreeEducationpic.twitter.com/rAQELURg1R
— John Morgan (@JMorganTHE) November 19, 2014
Following the Parliament Square takeover, it appears police presence in the area has been stepped up - but it doesn't look to have deterred the protesters, who continue to chant on the grassy area outside the Houses of Parliament.
Mobile #FreeEducation march being tailed by these guys pic.twitter.com/tEA4QSsLp5
— Howard (@howardsaid) November 19, 2014
Organiser Aaron Kiely, from the Student Assembly Against Austerity and a member of the NUS national executive, said their message was very simple: a return to free education and an alternative to tuition fees.
He said: "We want to end the lifetime of debt which is a massive burden for students.
"Students are really angry because we go to university and then at the end of it we get an average of £40,000-worth of debt. That puts you in a hell of a difficult position when you start to think about a mortgage and a family. We need an alternative."
Fiona Edwards, an organiser with the Student Assembly Against Austerity, spoke to Huff Post UK Students ahead of the march: “We called a demonstration in the summer, jointly with the Student Assembly Against Austerity, the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, and the Young Greens, and we’ve been building it since then.
“Obviously, we’ve been really stepping things up in the last month or so with weeks of action across the country."
Student Protest March
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(01 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protestors jump over barriers surrounding Parliament Square during a march against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(02 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protestors remove barriers surrounding Parliament Square during a march against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
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A police officer clashes with protesters outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after a march against student university fees in central London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(04 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: A protester holds up a flare during a march against student university fees near the Houses of Parliament on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
Britain Student Protest(05 of41)
British police officers and students clash on Parliament Square during a protest against university tuition fees in London, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014. University tuition fees nearly trebled four years ago, a move that sparked violent student protests. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:Matt Dunham/AP)
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Protestors clash with British police officers on Parliament Square during a protest against university tuition fees in London, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014. University tuition fees nearly trebled four years ago, a move that sparked violent student protests. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:Matt Dunham/AP)
Britain Student Protest(07 of41)
Students dismantle security barriers placed by British police on Parliament Square during a protest against university tuition fees in London, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014. University tuition fees nearly trebled four years ago, a move that sparked violent student protests. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:Matt Dunham/AP)
Britain Student Protest(08 of41)
Students dismantle security barriers placed by British police on Parliament Square during a protest against university tuition fees in London, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014. University tuition fees nearly trebled four years ago, a move that sparked violent student protests. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:Matt Dunham/AP)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(09 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protestors march down Whitehall during a protest against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(10 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protestors jump over barriers surrounding Parliament Square during a march against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(11 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protestors walk down Whitehall during a march against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(12 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protesters walk down The Strand during a march against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
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A protester holds a sign bearing a picture of UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage with a drwan Hitler moustache outside Houses of Parliament during a student march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(14 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: A policeman raises his baton as a march against student university fees passes the Houses of Parliament on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
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A police officer holds his baton at the ready during a scuffle with a protester during a march against student university fees near the Houses of Parliament in central London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(16 of41)
Students protest outside the Houses of Parliament during a march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(17 of41)
Protesters walk through The Strand during a student march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
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Protesters hold signs and gather outside Houses of Parliament during a student march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(19 of41)
Students protest outside the Houses of Parliament during a march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
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A protester holds a sign as he sits outside the Houses of Parliament during a march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
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Protesters walk through The Strand during a march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
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Protesters jump over the barrier to enter Parliament Square during a march against student university fees near the Houses of Parliament in central London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(23 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Police officers clash with protestors near the Houses of Parliament during a march against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(24 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protestors try to remove barriers surrounding Parliament Square during a march against student university fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. A coalition of student groups have organised a day of nationwide protests in support of free education and to campaign against cuts. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(25 of41)
Students protest outside the Houses of Parliament during a march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(26 of41)
Students protest outside the Houses of Parliament during a march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(27 of41)
Students protest outside the Houses of Parliament during a march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(28 of41)
Police officers stand behind barricades outside the Houses of Parliament during a student march against university fees in London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
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A man tries to remove a barrier outside the Houses of Parliament during a student march against university fees in Lodnon on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
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A protester holds up a lit flare amid demonstrators during a march against student university fees in near the Houses of Parliament in central London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(31 of41)
A police officer holds his baton at the ready during a scuffle with a protester during a march against student university fees near the Houses of Parliament in central London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(32 of41)
A protester holds up a lit flare amid demonstrators during a march against student university fees in near the Houses of Parliament in central London on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
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A protester wearing an anonymous balakcava takes part in a march in Lodnon against university fees on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(34 of41)
Students hold signs as they march in Lodnon against university fees on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
A National Day Of Protest Is Held As Students Demonstrate Over Tuition Fees(35 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Protest placards are placed outside the University of London ahead of a protest against student fees on November 19, 2014 in London, England. Thousands of students from universities across the country are expected to travel to the capial today to take part in a national demonstration calling for free education. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-UNIVERSITY-PROTEST(36 of41)
Police officers stand behind barricades outside the Houses of Parliament during a student march against university fees in Lodnon on November 19, 2014. The demonstration organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity, alongside the Young Greens and National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts demands free education and an end to tuition fees, education cuts and student debt. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
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The Students March London. Thousands of people march though the streets of London, against the government’s cutting tuition fees. (credit:Seb/WENN)
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The Students March London. Thousands of people march though the streets of London, against the government’s cutting tuition fees. (credit:Seb/WENN)
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The Students March London. Thousands of people march though the streets of London, against the government’s cutting tuition fees. (credit:Seb/WENN)
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The Students March London. Thousands of people march though the streets of London, against the government’s cutting tuition fees. (credit:Seb/WENN)
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The Students March London. Thousands of people march though the streets of London, against the government’s cutting tuition fees. (credit:Seb/WENN)