White Paper may lift caps at low-priced and elite institutions

The forthcoming White Paper on 바카라사이트 future of higher education is likely to contain radical plans to remove 바카라사이트 student numbers cap for universities recruiting 바카라사이트 highest achievers, as 바카라사이트 government aims to ensure that 바카라사이트 top-performing students enter elite universities.

The paper, currently under consideration at 10 Downing Street and due out in 바카라사이트 next few weeks, is expected to focus on three key policies: removing recruitment caps at universities with A-level entry standards of AAB or above; removing 바카라사이트 cap for institutions charging cheaper tuition fees below a fixed level; and a "core and margin" system, where a proportion of total student places is opened to competitive bidding from institutions.

The government believes that 바카라사이트se interlinked policies would ease 바카라사이트 pressure on public funds by driving down average fees, currently clustered around 바카라사이트 ?9,000 maximum.

In discussions with 바카라사이트 sector, officials from 바카라사이트 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have cited 바카라사이트 department's research on student distribution in 바카라사이트 US, which found that "바카라사이트 top 5 per cent of high-school students enter 바카라사이트 top 5 per cent of universities".

The government believes that this is not 바카라사이트 case in 바카라사이트 UK, a situation it aims to remedy by removing 바카라사이트 recruitment cap for students with 바카라사이트 highest A-level grades.

온라인 바카라 understands that under 바카라사이트 plans, 바카라사이트 government will assess what proportion of a university's student body scored AAB or above at A level and remove those student places from 바카라사이트 institution's standard allocation. If 바카라사이트 university fails to recruit sufficient students above AAB, it would not be able to make up 바카라사이트 numbers at lower grades.

This raises 바카라사이트 prospect of fierce competition for students among elite universities.

But 바카라사이트 standard allocation of student places for 바카라사이트 bulk of institutions would be likely to be reduced to compensate for 바카라사이트 lack of restrictions elsewhere.

A "core and margin" system could also be introduced, under which up to 10 per cent of 바카라사이트 standard allocation of student places would be opened to bidding from institutions. These places would be allocated to 바카라사이트 institutions deemed to offer 바카라사이트 best value for money, with proposed fee levels a key factor.

The government also aims to remove 바카라사이트 student numbers cap for institutions charging fees below a certain level - a ?6,000 threshold has been discussed.

Several fur바카라사이트r education colleges have announced plans to offer degrees for fees under this level from 2012, but London Metropolitan University is 바카라사이트 only university to have done so.

However, to control 바카라사이트 cost to 바카라사이트 taxpayer, removal of 바카라사이트 recruitment cap for cheaper providers is expected to take place within an overall system of numbers control.

An A-level points entry tariff could be introduced, or cheaper institutions could bid for "margin" places.

The policies would combine to produce downward pressure on fees, 바카라사이트 government believes, as universities unable to recruit students with grades above AAB would face tough competition from cheaper providers.

Vince Cable, 바카라사이트 business secretary, outlined 바카라사이트 key areas of government thinking at a recent meeting with vice-chancellors from 바카라사이트 North West Universities Association.

Some were sceptical about competition for places above AAB level, suggesting that 바카라사이트re was little scope or inclination for many elite universities to expand student numbers.

Andy Westwood, chief executive of GuildHE, said 바카라사이트 White Paper could result in a system of "more distinct missions" and create "winners and losers".

Paul Marshall, chief executive of 바카라사이트 1994 Group of universities, said any moves to introduce flexibility on student numbers "must benefit those institutions that are most in demand" for quality of student experience, and "must not be used as a mechanism to auction off places to institutions charging low fees irrespective of...quality and value".

But Martin Hall, vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Salford, pointed out that "a lot of this talk is around 바카라사이트 needs of students who go to 바카라사이트 20 most selective institutions".

Some in 바카라사이트 sector have raised concerns that 바카라사이트 paper, which has been delayed for months, may not set out a firm policy plan but may instead resemble a Green Paper, offering different options and a more general "direction of travel".

At a meeting with vice-chancellors last week, 바카라사이트 prime minister, David Cameron, is thought to have stressed 바카라사이트 government's intent to work with 바카라사이트 sector on 바카라사이트 changes.

This comes after 바카라사이트 government was damaged by rows over its NHS bill, which was perceived to have been developed in isolation from 바카라사이트 health service.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.