Top-up fees looming
Oxford students may face tuition fees of up to £15,000 per annum if a government White Paper on the future of student funding gives elite universities the go-ahead for so-called 'top-up fees'.
The White Paper, which will be published in November, is expected to signal a staggering rise for students in the cost of attending Britain's top educational institutions. Tony Blair has ruled that there is no other realistic way to solve the problems of funding higher education except to allow universities to increase fees.
While Estelle Morris held the post of Education Secretary, her department had opposed top-up fees on the grounds that they could deter poorer students from applying to the top universities. Following Morris' shock resignation last week, it appears likely that this policy will not continue under her successor, Charles Clarke, who, since his appointment, has stated that there is "no use pretending all universities are the same."
However, the White Paper is also expected to propose a reintroduction of limited grants for students of up to £1000 a year to soften the blow of increased fees. Families earning up to £40,000 a year are likely to benefit from the grant, which could come into force as early as 2004, but will be tapered so that those on higher incomes will receive less.
Students across the country have reacted with dismay to the proposals. The issue was brought home by reports that Imperial College and University College London are contemplating a merger, and are likely to impose top-up fees. Students from UCL voted last week to officially oppose both propositions.
The proposals for increased tuition fees have been condemned in Oxford, with OUSU President, Will Straw, commenting that, "universities should not become the preserve of the rich."
31st Oct 2002