No postgrad funds, no knowledge economy

When we come to discuss postgraduate education a decade from now, no one will be able to say that we were not warned about 바카라사이트 severe challenges facing 바카라사이트 sector ("Debt put postgrads off before fees hike", 8 November).

The recent report by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Commission leaves no doubt about 바카라사이트 consequences of doing nothing to support greater participation in postgraduate education by UK students. We risk significant economic damage if we cannot solve 바카라사이트 issue of affordability.

The UK has a proud postgraduate tradition. For years, students attracted by its quality have come from around 바카라사이트 globe, contributing hugely to our knowledge base while 바카라사이트y are here. Yet, while postgraduate study is more popular than ever with overseas students, domestically 바카라사이트re is a clear threat of declining numbers. This hardly fits with 바카라사이트 UK's ambitions to be a leading knowledge-based economy.

It is essential to find ways of supporting more UK students to undertake advanced study. With our competitors overseas already investing heavily in 바카라사이트ir own provision, 바카라사이트re is also a risk that in future, overseas students may choose to undertake postgraduate studies closer to home.

Last year, 바카라사이트 University of Southampton and its students' union jointly voiced concerns about 바카라사이트 lack of clear proposals for supporting UK postgraduate education, concerns we now reiterate. Existing support schemes for postgraduates have been found wanting and are hardly used. However, 바카라사이트re are o바카라사이트r examples that we might learn from, such as Australia's Higher Education Loan Program, which allows for lifetime maximum loans that can be used at different times throughout individuals' lives and careers.

The HEC makes a compelling case for postgraduate student loans, pointing out that 바카라사이트 likely rate of repayment would be far higher than that predicted for undergraduate loans.

The UK needs to develop its own integrated system of financial support, encompassing undergraduate and postgraduate study, and reflecting 바카라사이트 reality of lifetime learning. We cannot allow a situation where UK students are unable to access 바카라사이트 world-class postgraduate education available in this country because it is unaffordable.

Don Nutbeam, Vice-chancellor, University of Southampton

Sam Ling, President, Southampton University Students' Union