The much–anticipated Browne Review of higher education funding was published earlier this week. In his final report‚ Lord Browne recommends lifting the cap on university tuition fees and allowing universities to set their own fees.
Below‚ read the Vice–Chancellor’s response and a summary of recommendations contained in the report.
Vice–Chancellor Professor Don Nutbeam has responded to the proposals contained in the Browne review. He says:
“At Southampton, we have not actively sought an increase in student fees, but the recommendations published this week will need to be considered in the context of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review. Significant reductions in public funds for higher education have been predicted and Browne’s proposals represent a viable and fair way to secure vital future investment in universities.
It is important to emphasise that under the proposals, students do not pay charges, only graduates do, and then only if they are successful. No one earning less than £21,000 will pay anything.
The introduction of fees has not led to a reduction in high-quality applicants to the University, and if changes of the type signalled in the Review are implemented, we will continue to operate ‘needs blind’ admissions to ensure that we attract the best students from all backgrounds. We will review and adjust the range of student support, including bursaries, in consultation with our students to minimise concerns that current and prospective students may have about the cost of coming to University.”
What did the Review recommend?
- Lifting the cap on tuition fees. However, universities would have to pay a levy to the Government if they charge fees above £6,000 per year, to compensate for the risk that the loans will not be repaid.
- Students would continue to pay nothing upfront. Graduates would only make payments when they are earning above £21,000 per year (raised from £15,000). If they drop below the threshold for any reason, the payments would stop.
- Graduates would pay interest on their loans (the same rate that the Government itself pays on borrowing money). Anything unpaid after 30 years would be written off.
- Upfront support would be extended to part time students.
- The number of student places should be increased, although there should be a minimum entry requirement set by the Government.
- A new body called the Higher Education Council should replace HEFCE, QAA, OFFA and OIA.
- Public funding for HE teaching would be reduced so that it is only targeted on subject areas deemed to be a priority. The report suggests that these might be clinical subjects, STEM subjects, languages, and nursing and other allied health professions. This implies a large reduction to funds now provided by HEFCE for teaching, which is then compensated by the increased support provided by graduates in the form of higher fees.
See the full report:
www.independent.gov.uk/browne-report