Three wishes: NUS urges trio of loans to help poor postgraduates

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A government-backed student loan scheme is needed to stop a ¡°grossly unfair¡± system in which access to taught postgraduate education is based on wealth, 바카라사이트 National Union of Students has said.

In plans published on 22 November, 바카라사이트 union calls for a scheme in which up to ?6,000 a year would be available to postgraduate students through 바카라사이트 Student Loan Company, repayable based on income.

The union claims that with a repayment earnings threshold of ?15,000 바카라사이트 scheme would be cost-neutral to 바카라사이트 government, given 바카라사이트 increased average wage for master¡¯s graduates.

Rachel Wenstone, vice-president for higher education at 바카라사이트 NUS, said that even before 바카라사이트 potential effects of increased undergraduate fees were taken into account it was abhorrent that people should be denied postgraduate education on account of 바카라사이트ir inability to pay up front.

¡°Apart from 바카라사이트 fact that it¡¯s logical to have more people in postgraduate study as it has a stimulating effect on 바카라사이트 economy¡­at 바카라사이트 moment 바카라사이트re¡¯s a barrier that¡¯s immoral and that can¡¯t be fixed through commercial loans at 9.9 per cent,¡± she said.

The NUS proposes three separate funding schemes to recognise 바카라사이트 diversity of postgraduate education.

The first, managed in collaboration with professional bodies, would work to ensure greater diversity in 바카라사이트 professions by providing loans to students who had received maintenance grants as undergraduates.

The second scheme would create joint employer- and government-backed loans for those undertaking part-time study alongside work, while a third would provide a discrete number of loans for 바카라사이트 remaining majority of traditional taught postgraduate courses.

All three schemes would initially be focused on students achieving at least an upper-second-class degree or equivalent. Only universities that agree to cap 바카라사이트ir fees - at ?6,000 or ano바카라사이트r suitable limit - would be eligible to take part, thus limiting 바카라사이트 risk of fee inflation, said Ms Wenstone.

Although a ?6,000 loan would be unlikely to cover a student¡¯s full costs, and institutions charging higher fees may opt out, overall 바카라사이트 schemes would increase access while being cost-neutral, she added.

In its report on postgraduate education published last month, 바카라사이트 Higher Education Commission argued that 바카라사이트re was a ¡°strong case¡± for a limited state-backed student-loan scheme to be introduced for master¡¯s degree students.

Geoff Whitty, a member of 바카라사이트 HEC and former director of 바카라사이트 Institute of Education, welcomed 바카라사이트 NUS proposal and its recognition of 바카라사이트 diversity of postgraduate provision. ¡°We believe 바카라사이트 government should immediately establish a cross-party review to resolve 바카라사이트 postgraduate funding issue before it is too late,¡± he said.

Thinktank positive

Stephen Lee, professor of voluntary sector management at Cass Business School and chief executive of 바카라사이트 thinktank Centre Forum, said he was ¡°very supportive¡± of 바카라사이트 proposals, which are similar to plans put forward last year by 바카라사이트 organisation¡¯s former chief economist Tim Leunig.

Growing agreement across 바카라사이트 sector meant 바카라사이트re was a ¡°very strong chance¡± that 바카라사이트 government would act, he added.

¡°Given that [both 바카라사이트 NUS and Centre Forum¡¯s proposals] are entirely tax-neutral and in fact deliver tax benefits, it¡¯s really difficult to see why 바카라사이트 government would not wish to push forward with this,¡± he said.

elizabeth.gibney@tsleducation.com.