24 March 2010

million+ welcomes 20,000 extra university places

Responding to today’s Budget, Professor Les Ebdon, Chair of the university think-tank million+ and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire, warmly welcomed the announcement of a one-off funding boost to create 20,000 more university places this September. Professor Ebdon said: “This £250 million investment will fund life-changing opportunities for students and will bring long-term benefit not only to individuals but also to the Exchequer. Crucially, the Treasury has also guaranteed to fund the full student support costs for these 20,000 students.”

“million+ has spearheaded the campaign to secure additional student places this year. With a 23% rise in applications, on this time last year, extra places were urgently needed. Without this announcement, many applicants would have been left without a place and a large number of these would no doubt have been ‘widening participation’ students for whom university is proven to be a transformative experience.

“Investment in higher education remains central to ensuring that the UK has the skills and knowledge needed to rebuild the economy. With an election now just a few weeks away, we need assurances from all parties that this commitment to students and universities will be maintained in this year and in the future.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

1. million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education www.millionplus.ac.uk

2. For more information, comment or interviews from million+ please contact Victoria Mills on 07900 277819

3. The Chancellor has announced a ‘University Modernisation Fund’ which will give a one-off funding boost of £270 million in 2010/11. £250 million will support 20,000 more university places starting this September. £20 million will support new initiatives to help universities and colleges develop shared services.