Reintroduction of up-front tuition fees not the answer to the crisis in university places, says million+
Responding to the IPPR report First Class? Challenges and opportunities for the UK’s university sector published today (Wednesday) Professor Les Ebdon CBE Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire and Chair of university think-tank million+ said, “million+ warned the government and policy makers of the current crisis in university places; a result of the rising attainment and aspiration of young people, the recession and an imposed cap on student numbers.
“IPPR are right to call for urgent action to protect next year’s student numbers and we do need a genuine debate about the future of university expansion and the advantages and disadvantages of the university funding system. The current model has delivered more funding to the sector but it is complex for students, predicated on the notion of a standard full-time student and discriminates against those who want to study part-time.
“It is important that all proposals to improve to the present funding student support regime are considered. However, these proposals would reintroduce upfront fees for some students and would increase the complexity of an already over bureaucratic and administratively complex system. One thing is certain – they would not release funding to help all those who are likely to want to go to university in 2010.”
Notes to editors:
- million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education. www.millionplus.ac.uk
- The IPPR report can be found here
http://www.ippr.org/publicationsandreports/publication.asp?id=690 - For more information please contact Gemma Tumelty, Public Affairs Officer on 0207 7171655 or 07900 277819