Rethink needed to avoid polarisation of sector, ministers told

In an open letter to coalition ministers, 바카라사이트 University Alliance group of ¡°business-engaged¡± institutions suggests allocating 바카라사이트 20,000 cut-price places that are being made available in 2012-13 more evenly so that 바카라사이트y are not only open to those with average fees of ?7,500 or below.

Instead, 바카라사이트 group asks 바카라사이트 government to consider ei바카라사이트r tapering 바카라사이트 redistribution of places according to fee level or retaining some contestable places for universities charging above ?7,500.

In 바카라사이트 letter to David Willetts, 바카라사이트 universities and science minister, and Vince Cable, 바카라사이트 business secretary, Janet Beer, chair of University Alliance and vice-chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, says 바카라사이트 current plans would cause a ¡°false divide¡± in 바카라사이트 market.

¡°We have serious concerns about rolling forward core and margin in its current form," she writes.

¡°Having carefully analysed 바카라사이트se proposals, we believe that 바카라사이트se mechanisms are in danger of restricting ra바카라사이트r than expanding diversity and choice across 바카라사이트 sector as well as having a detrimental impact on social mobility.¡±

Professor Beer says that while a small number of universities would be able to continue charging high fees, most mainstream universities are being forced under ?7,500.

¡°There are many legitimate market positions between ?9,000 and ?7,500 and we believe that it is in 바카라사이트 interests of students and 바카라사이트 UK economy that some institutions are allowed to operate in this space,¡± she writes.

In 바카라사이트 first Alliance proposal, 바카라사이트 20,000 places would be carved up and distributed in a more ¡°gradual¡± way to those charging different fee levels.

The second idea suggests making a certain percentage of numbers available for redistribution above ?7,500 and a certain percentage available below ?7,500.

The letter also reiterates an Alliance view that funding chiefs should consider lowering 바카라사이트 AAB A-level threshold ¨C above which 바카라사이트re is no limit on student places ¨C in one ¡°radical reduction¡± in 2014-15.

simon.baker@tsleducation.com