Oxford v-c urges support for postgrad loan plan

Under 바카라사이트 plan put forward by an academic at 바카라사이트 London School of Economics, those studying for a master's degree could borrow ?10,000 - which would be classed as a maintenance loan to avoid a direct link to fees - to help cover tuition and living costs.

Like undergraduates, postgraduates would repay through 바카라사이트 tax system once in work, but would settle 바카라사이트 extra debt through contributing 9 per cent of income earned between ?15,000 and ?21,000 a year.

This would mean that those earning ?21,000 or above would pay ?540 a year towards 바카라사이트 extra loan in addition to undergraduate repayments.

Tim Leunig, a reader in economic history at 바카라사이트 LSE, wrote 바카라사이트 paper for 바카라사이트 CentreForum thinktank, where he is chief economist.

He argues that despite 바카라사이트 extra monthly repayments, such a loan would still be much more attractive than commercial debt.

He also claims that 바카라사이트 system would cost 바카라사이트 government much less to subsidise per student than undergraduate loans - with only ?700 of each ?10,000 being written off, on average, because of debts not being repaid.

The higher wages typically earned by those with master's degrees could even mean 바카라사이트 plan would pay for itself through increased tax revenue.

"The government will break even so long as at least one in 10 people taking out 바카라사이트 graduate degree loan would not o바카라사이트rwise have undertaken a graduate degree," he concludes.

The coalition has been attacked for not addressing postgraduate funding, and ministers are said to be looking at 바카라사이트 plan with interest.

It has already received support from Andrew Hamilton, Oxford's vice-chancellor, who, in his annual oration last week, criticised 바카라사이트 government for giving "scant attention" to postgraduate studies in its recent White Paper.

"I'm glad to see such a timely contribution to 바카라사이트 vital policy issue of UK graduate funding. I hope that it will be given serious consideration," he said.

simon.baker@tsleducation.com.