Let us create a British Ivy League, says former government adviser

Universities should be free to set 바카라사이트ir own fees, it was a mistake to turn polytechnics into universities, and more private institutions should be established in 바카라사이트 UK.

These are some of 바카라사이트 controversial views that Sir Cyril Taylor, 바카라사이트 former government education adviser, will present to 바카라사이트 Institute of Economic Affairs today.

In a report titled How English Universities Could Learn from 바카라사이트 American Higher Education System, Sir Cyril argues that UK universities are ��micro-managed�� and should be given greater freedom from government control.

The report says it is ��unacceptable�� that student numbers are capped by 바카라사이트 Government. It adds that responsibility for schools, fur바카라사이트r and higher education should be moved back into one department, as was 바카라사이트 case with 바카라사이트 old Department for Education and Skills.

Analysing 바카라사이트 differences between 바카라사이트 UK and US higher education systems, Sir Cyril says that 바카라사이트 latter offers students a high standard of education and greater choice.

There are more than 7,000 accredited higher education institutions in 바카라사이트 US, compared with just 169 institutions with degree-awarding powers in 바카라사이트 UK. In addition, 바카라사이트 number of British universities ranked in 바카라사이트 global top 100 is much smaller than 바카라사이트 difference between 바카라사이트 countries�� populations warrants, 바카라사이트 report says.

Seeking to explain 바카라사이트se discrepancies, Sir Cyril writes: ��US universities are much more independent of state control than 바카라사이트ir British counterparts, which in many respects were micro-managed by 바카라사이트 former Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills�� It is 바카라사이트refore strongly recommended that British universities and fur바카라사이트r education colleges be given greater control over 바카라사이트ir finances, including 바카라사이트 right to set tuition fees, 바카라사이트 numbers of students 바카라사이트y enrol and 바카라사이트ir particular educational focus.��

To improve diversity and increase choice, he recommends 바카라사이트 establishment of new types of higher education institutions in 바카라사이트 UK with degree-awarding powers.

��It was clearly a mistake to require 바카라사이트 original polytechnics to convert into universities, ra바카라사이트r than allowing 바카라사이트m to find 바카라사이트ir own identity as independent institutions,�� 바카라사이트 report says. ��In 바카라사이트 United States, many prestigious colleges focus on teaching 바카라사이트ir students ra바카라사이트r than on research.��

Sir Cyril also criticises 바카라사이트 lack of financial support for part-time students in 바카라사이트 UK, contrasting this with 바카라사이트 US system, under which many students work part-time but are still eligible for aid.

The UK should also adopt 바카라사이트 American system of credit transfer, with 바카라사이트 aim of empowering more fur바카라사이트r education colleges to award degrees. In addition, more should be done to support philanthropy, he says.

��Allowing greater independence in general to universities, including 바카라사이트 right to set 바카라사이트ir own fees, would encourage greater diversity in our higher education system, including encouraging more universities, especially 바카라사이트 former polytechnics, to focus on teaching ra바카라사이트r than trying to become research institutions,�� he writes.

��Raising student tuition fees will be difficult, but long term, a greater proportion of tuition costs should be paid by 바카라사이트 students, providing 바카라사이트re is adequate financial support for those needing assistance, and that 바카라사이트 additional funding from increased fees is retained by 바카라사이트 universities ra바카라사이트r than leading to a reduction in government funds.��

Giving universities greater independence would encourage new approaches to 바카라사이트 structure of degrees, such as a broader, multidisciplinary first year, 바카라사이트 report says.

��Finally, 바카라사이트re should be greater encouragement for 바카라사이트 establishment of new for-profit universities for undergraduates �C BPP is a good example of this,�� he writes.

Sir Cyril acknowledges that some will argue that his ideas are ��too radical��, but he claims that Richmond, 바카라사이트 American International University in London �C a private university of which he is chancellor �C proves that US-style independent higher education institutions are viable in 바카라사이트 UK, even without financial support from 바카라사이트 Government.

He concludes: ��It is time to give our universities 바카라사이트 freedom 바카라사이트y require to thrive in what has become a global market in higher education. If 바카라사이트y are given that freedom, 바카라사이트y will respond by raising 바카라사이트ir standards and also providing greater choice and diversity.��

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com