A free market in tuition fees in which universities will be free to charge more than £10,000 a year for courses is expected to be recommended by the government's official adviser on higher education next week.

 

Unveiling the most important report on higher education in decades, Lord Browne will say that universities should be allowed to keep all the income from tuition fees up to an annual level of £10,000. The current cap is £3,290. The Observer has learned that he will also recommend they be allowed to cross that threshold if they pay a rising proportion of the additional income into a central fund. The money could be used to support students from poorer families.

 

If they are accepted, the radical proposals by Browne, the former chief executive of BP, would amount to the most far-reaching shake-up of higher education in decades and could result in middle-class students leaving university with debts in excess of £80,000. It will be up to ministers how they respond to the plans.

 

Vince Cable, the secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, the department that includes universities, and David Willetts, the higher education minister, are said to be convinced of the need to increase fees, but only to the level of £7,000, and alongside "progressive" measures to help the poorest. The shock of Browne's recommendation, if he sticks to it, could make such plans appear moderate.

 

The issue of fees is toxic for the Liberal Democrats, with many of the party's MPs having signed a pledge to oppose any increase in fees. Senior figures such as former leader Sir Menzies Campbell have promised to rebel in any vote that would increase the levels that universities can charge. Campbell, who is chancellor of St Andrew's University, said yesterday: "My root objection is to students being saddled with mountains of debt by the time they leave university."

 

Aaron Porter, president of the National Union of Students, said: "If this is true, then Browne's attempt to deliver a free market in higher education is a proof that he is seeking to price out the poorer students. The average debt already is in excess of £25,000." Students would hold the Lib Dems to account, he added, in relation to the coming decision on tuition fees.

 

"The Lib Dems pledged to vote against higher fees, their party policy is a graduate tax, the coalition agreement states that student debt is of concern. It is completely inconceivable that the Liberal Democrats could vote for higher fees without completely losing the trust of students and their families," he said.

 

There was also opposition from unions representing university lecturers. Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, claimed Browne had failed to take into account public opinion. His proposals would, she added, "simply be a way to squeeze more money out of students and their families". They would also sap the ambition of many students.

 

Others warned that they would drive apart universities and create a two-tier system like the one that existed before polytechnics were abolished in 1992. Professor Les Ebdon, chair of the university thinktank million+, many of whose members are former polytechnics, said: "It is a pretty big shove in that direction."

 

He claimed that many universities, particularly those with a higher proportion of students from working-class families, would feel unable to charge the full amount, resulting in a competitive market in fees.

 

Recent research shows that many of the prestigious universities that make up the Russell Group already take a far smaller proportion of working-class students than others.

 

Ebdon said the result of a student fee level of £7,000 would be that only the most socially elite universities could charge the full amount. "It creates a two-tier university system, one set of universities for the rich, one set of universities for the poor – one set of university experiences for the rich and one set of university experiences for the poor," he said. Ebdon argued that politicians "don't get it".

 

"There are two million students in this country and about 40,000 of them are taught in Russell Group universities. The vast majority of students are outside that."

This is going to be a ticking time-bomb waiting for the Coalition in the coming weeks... every single Lib Dem MP including Clegg signed a pledge to the National Union of Students promising to vote against any rise in tuition fees before the election. Considering Ed Miliband is in favour of a graduate tax, it seems Labour will vote against (I would guess there would be a maximum of about 10 uber-Blairites who might vote in favour), so there ARE the numbers in the Commons for this ridiculous rise to be vetoed - if the Lib Dems honour their pledge to vote against. If they don't, it will be the kiss of death for the party.

Luckily this won't affect up north,

 

I don't like this at all. Places like St Andrews and Oxbridge are already filled with pompus c**ts who think they are better than everyone else. This actually gives them more reason to think that creating a class divide for the next generation. I hope the Lib Dem's vote against this.

 

 

 

As long as Ming C votes against this i'll vote for him at the next election

Im currently looking at Uni places now and even the 3k a year is a bit steep for me... Never mind 10k! I think that would put me off Uni completely.

Im currently looking at Uni places now and even the 3k a year is a bit steep for me... Never mind 10k! I think that would put me off Uni completely.

First, the story may be wrong. Second, even if it is correct, the government may reject the recommendation. However, if it is correct and the government does accept it, you should write to your MP, particularly if you have a Tory or Lib Dem MP. I suspect a number of Lib Dem MPs would vote against this. If enough do - possibly even joined by the odd Tory - it could be defeated.

This is so f***ing ridiculous. 10k?!

I really hope it doesn't happen.

It won't affect me as I'll more than likely have finished by the time it actually happens, but I really don't see how they can do it...!

This would be ridiculous, it would highly limit a lot of people being able to go to university, and if they dont go to university they go into the small job market, and I say this as someone who decided to work this year rather than going to uni and has now been on JSA for a while, so they are now if people cant afford to go they will be spending time unemployed instead. I guess this is Tory Britain where only the rich get oppotunities. So many news stories since they have been in power have really confuses me why anyone would vote tory.

No way am i working f***ing hard for the next 2 years on the IB and then not being feasibly able to get what i want out of it.... anyone want to join me at uni abroad?

No way am i working f***ing hard for the next 2 years on the IB and then not being feasibly able to get what i want out of it.... anyone want to join me at uni abroad?

Try Scotland, the tuition fees up here are less than £2k a year.

This couldn't have come at a worst time :drama: I'll be starting uni in 2011 (assuming I get in).

How can they expect a stable economy if nobody can afford to go to university!? LIDL's hasn't got that many jobs going!

This couldn't have come at a worst time :drama: I'll be starting uni in 2011

 

I'm afraid to ask, but what are you intending to study?

 

£3,200 a year is how much university in Belfast currently costs me, any more than that and it wouldn't be worth my while attending. It's even more expensive in America, the university I'm studying at costs $25,000 a year, and that's a 4 year college. Thankfully, the good people at the British Council are paying my fees. :cheer:

Try Scotland, the tuition fees up here are less than £2k a year.

I thought that was only for Scottish students? It was when I went to uni, it didn't matter where in Britain an English school kid went, they paid the same regardless.

I thought that was only for Scottish students? It was when I went to uni, it didn't matter where in Britain an English school kid went, they paid the same regardless.

We don't pay fees usually.

 

When i was at high school i was given a bit of paper with tuition fees on it. England & Wales were £3200, Scotland was £1700 [£2800 iirc for Medicine] I was under the impression that was the EU rate of fees.

 

I've just looked at the Dundee Uni website and this is what they say:

 

 

- No tuition fees for students domiciled in Scotland or other EU countries outside the UK

- Fees of not more than £1,820 per year (£2,895 for Medicine) for students from the rest of the UK commencing in 2009 (compared over £3,000 p.a. at universities in England)

Vince Cable now supports raising fees to £12,000 a year

 

And bang goes my respect for the only cabinet member I actually liked.

Edited October 12, 201014 yr by Brett-Butler

I'm sorry but I feel that those who want to go to Uni, and my daughter may be one in 4 years' time, should pay for it. Why should taxpayers continue to foot the bill? Also, why should those who leave education at 18, and don't go to Uni, and I know one, pay tax to support students who spend half their time at Uni drinking? :rolleyes:

Edited October 12, 201014 yr by Common Sense

I'm sorry but I feel that those who want to go to Uni, and my daughter may be one in 4 years' time, should pay for it. Why should taxpayers continue to foot the bill?

I feel quite content to say f*** you here :)

 

The tax payer pays for my education as Higher education is free in Scotland [Our culture leans towards one where we believe the state rather than the student should pay for higher education]

 

I'm quite sure if you surveyed 10% of the population of the United Kingdom they'd rather pay for me to attend university [£1800 pa] than for you to sit on you fat sponging ass all day doing nothing.

 

Primarily because it actually makes good business/economic sense. By paying for me to get a better education i am more likely to go on to a high earning job and therefore bring more tax revenues into the treasury through VAT, Income Tax, National Insurance, Fuel/Alcohol/Cigarette Duty, Road Fund Licence etc than i would have had the state not funded my education an i had been unable to afford to go.

 

You may contest this argument if you wish, but you'd be better off attempting to have a physical altercation with a building. You can argue against facts and the fact is paying for my education in the long run is better for the country than paying for you.

I feel that students should be given more in loans if they need and want it as they can afford to pay it back when they start work. They start on a higher income with a degree.

Edited October 12, 201014 yr by Common Sense

I feel that students should be given more in loans if they need and want it as they can afford to pay it back when they start work. They start on a higher income with a degree.

Not all of us want to leave university with crippling debts of over £30,000

I'm sorry but I feel that those who want to go to Uni, and my daughter may be one in 4 years' time, should pay for it. Why should taxpayers continue to foot the bill? Also, why should those who leave education at 18, and don't go to Uni, and I know one, pay tax to support students who spend half their time at Uni drinking? :rolleyes:

Okay, fuck off you cunt. Just because you haven't done a decent day of work in your god dam life.

 

How the hell can they expect for someone like me to be charged £10,000-odd a year for a course, on top of living and accommodation costs? Seriously worried now :/

I'm sorry but I feel that those who want to go to Uni, and my daughter may be one in 4 years' time, should pay for it. Why should taxpayers continue to foot the bill? Also, why should those who leave education at 18, and don't go to Uni, and I know one, pay tax to support students who spend half their time at Uni drinking? :rolleyes:

 

so you are happy for your daughter to pay basically triple what uni students pay now and be paying back for half her life? if she can afford it that is, seeing as you are obviously not the richest family in the world (seeing as you are on benefits right?) so your daughter probaly wont get the chance to go to uni just due to the rise in fees. i really dont see how you could support this.