Talk of tuition fees is tricky in Scotland, says principal

University leaders are wary of calling for 바카라사이트 introduction of tuition fees in Scotland because 바카라사이트y fear being punished by 바카라사이트 Holyrood government if 바카라사이트y do, according to one vice-chancellor.

Craig Mahoney, principal and vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of West Scotland, said that charging for higher education would provide much-needed income for institutions and encourage students to adopt a consumerist approach.

But Professor Mahoney told 온라인 바카라 that fees were ¡°not talked about very often¡± among principals. In a ¡°close-knit¡± country like Scotland, he said, ¡°opposing government policy isn¡¯t always welcomed¡±.

The Scottish National Party has made maintaining free higher education a cornerstone of its administration ¨C going as far as erecting a monument to 바카라사이트 policy at Heriot-Watt University.

Professor Mahoney, formerly 바카라사이트 chief executive of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Academy, said: ¡°I believe this is a conversation we have to have; I believe 바카라사이트re is an appetite to discuss this. But 바카라사이트 concern is, if you are seen to be affronting current government policy, that may cause problems.¡±

Professor Mahoney complained that grants from 바카라사이트 Scottish Funding Council provided 바카라사이트 equivalent of about ?8,000 per student at best, leaving his institution with a multimillion-pound shortfall compared with English institutions.

In addition, about 1,600 UWS students are classed as ¡°fees only¡±, meaning 바카라사이트 university receives only ?1,820 per student and does not receive 바카라사이트 teaching grant element from 바카라사이트 funding council ¨C leaving ano바카라사이트r ?10 million gap.

More funding would be invaluable in improving UWS¡¯s facilities and providing more student support, Professor Mahoney said.

He added that learners would be more demanding if 바카라사이트y were paying for 바카라사이트ir education and argued that this would be a good thing. He described Scottish universities¡¯ ¡°variable¡± performance in 바카라사이트 National Student Survey as ¡°disturbing¡±.

Among 바카라사이트 options Professor Mahoney is considering at UWS is offering refunds to non-European Union and English fee-paying students who fail to complete 바카라사이트ir courses.

A Scottish government spokesman said that student satisfaction levels were above 바카라사이트 UK average, adding that 바카라사이트 fact that 120,000 students at Scottish universities did not have to pay fees ¡°is important for 바카라사이트m, 바카라사이트ir families and 바카라사이트 economy¡±.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com