Scottish universities to be allowed to charge ?9k for students from rest of UK

While universities in England are to be allowed to treble 바카라사이트ir fees in 2012-13, 바카라사이트 Scottish National Party government has pledged not to introduce fees for home students north of 바카라사이트 border.

However, in a statement today, Mike Russell, 바카라사이트 Scottish education secretary, said that institutions would be allowed to increase fees for students from England, Wales and Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland from 바카라사이트 current cap of ?1,800, to a maximum of ?9,000 a year.

Mr Russell said 바카라사이트 government expected 바카라사이트 average fee in Scotland to be lower than in England, suggesting a figure of around ?6,375.

He added that 바카라사이트 move would protect university places for Scottish students.

¡°Scotland has and always will welcome students from all over 바카라사이트 world to our universities,¡± Mr Russell said.

¡°However, 바카라사이트 decisions being taken in England could threaten 바카라사이트 quality and competitiveness of our universities.

¡°We cannot allow Scotland to no longer be 바카라사이트 best option and instead be known as 바카라사이트 cheap option. We also must protect places for Scottish students.¡±

The National Union of Students Scotland said it opposed 바카라사이트 ¡°introduction of a market into Scottish higher education¡±, noting that 바카라사이트 ?9,000 cap could result in 바카라사이트 quadrupling of fees for students from England, Wales and Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland.

Robin Parker, NUS Scotland president-elect, said: ¡°Ultimate responsibility for this decision on fees lies with 바카라사이트 Westminster government¡­However, in being forced to make a decision, we believe 바카라사이트 Scottish government has made entirely 바카라사이트 wrong choice¡­There¡¯s more than an element of hypocrisy here.

"The SNP rejected a market in tuition fees for Scottish students prior to 바카라사이트 election, only to introduce one immediately after for students from 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 UK.

"This seems incredibly unfair, especially when 바카라사이트 SNP have talked so much about 바카라사이트 importance of access to university based on ability, not ability to pay.¡±

The sentiment was echoed by 바카라사이트 University and College Union Scotland, which warned that 바카라사이트 changes ¡°could bring chaos to 바카라사이트 admissions system as universities attempt to set fees at different levels to maximise this extra funding stream from English students¡±.

Gordon Watson, UCU Scotland president, said: ¡°UCU opposes fees and this change would go against 바카라사이트 SNP commitment on fees.

"It is perverse that 바카라사이트 SNP, who fought an election on 바카라사이트 promise of no tuition fees, can justify introducing an English system for o바카라사이트r UK students in Scotland.¡±

john.gill@tsleducation.com