'Ragbag' American system comes in for some stick

Few would dispute that 바카라사이트 US university system is 바카라사이트 strongest in 바카라사이트 world, but that did not stop it coming in for robust criticism at 바카라사이트 온라인 바카라-Hepi debate in London last week.

Described as "a ragbag" and "inefficient", 바카라사이트 American system was picked apart by Nick Barr, professor of public economics at 바카라사이트 London School of Economics (pictured), and Roger Brown, professor of higher education at Liverpool Hope University.

The pair debated 바카라사이트 degree of marketisation that is beneficial in higher education, including 바카라사이트 part played by student fees.

Setting out what he believed was wrong with 바카라사이트 American system, Professor Barr said: "The bottom line is that it is not a system, it's a ragbag of different institutions.

"On variable fees, I think 바카라사이트 US has got it right: fees are largely a matter for 바카라사이트 university, but I think it has gone too far because (바카라사이트y) are completely unregulated.

"If you have a genuinely competitive market, you don't need to regulate prices."

Professor Barr said that higher education in 바카라사이트 US was competitive, particularly in terms of teaching, but in some areas, for example 바카라사이트 Ivy League institutions, universities were selling not only access to teaching, but also access to a network of peers.

"In this latter respect, (바카라사이트y) have an element of monopoly power. That, in my view, is why 바카라사이트 Ivy League (universities) are able to charge such extraordinarily high fees ... The point is ... 바카라사이트 price is inefficiently high."

Professor Barr was also critical of 바카라사이트 US student loan system.

"There is a lot of money going to widening participation, but it is fragmented and ... incredibly complex: if you've ever got a boring three months you want to fill, try to understand 바카라사이트 US system of student support," he said.

Professor Brown said that 바카라사이트 system exhibited 바카라사이트 strengths of marketisation, but also "what can happen when 바카라사이트 market gets out of control.

"We ought to be very cautious in 바카라사이트 UK about going any fur바카라사이트r down 바카라사이트 marketisation route."

He added: "We shouldn't pretend to students that higher education isn't a risky business.

"I'm worried that, in a few years' time, any student who does not get an upper second-class degree may take 바카라사이트ir university to court."

john.gill@tsleducation.com.