Letter: Two-tier system
For all universities, the increase in income will be welcome, but some stand to gain more than others. Prestigious universities such as Oxford and Cambridge will be in the position of being able to charge the highest fees, as their national and international reputations will ensure a continuing demand for places. Furthermore, Oxbridge students tend to be better off than the average student. At Oxford, for example, some 43.6 per cent of this year's intake are pupils from independent schools and such students are likely to cope better with rising fees than students from less well-off backgrounds.
Oxford and Cambridge may not be rich by the standards of some of the American Ivy League universities, but by British standards, they are quite wealthy. Cambridge, for instance, recently raised over 1 billion to celebrate the 800th anniversary of its founding. Edinburgh - probably Scotland's "richest" university - has, by comparison, struggled to raise 300 million over four years in its recent campaign.
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Hide AdOne of the effects of the implementation of Lord Browne's recommendations will be the creation of a two-tier system of universities: the renowned and sought-after universities charging high levels of fees, and the rest.
KEDDIE LAW
Lunan Avenue
Montrose, Angus