New rules for high charging universities
Universities who want to charge over £6000 a year in tuition fees will be expected do all they can to help students from poorer backgrounds.
Universities minister David Willetts has released an early draft of a guidance letter to the Director of Fair Access (OFFA), saying that universities must commit to the new national scholarship programme and invest in helping those from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential and desire to go to university.
The document released today is an early draft of a letter to the Director of Fair Access. Once finalised, the letter will set out the Secretary of State’s guidance to the Director in the performance of his duties under Section 32 (3) of the Higher Education Act 2004.
Mr Willetts said:
“Going to university is a life changing experience and one of the greatest drivers of social mobility. That’s why I’m absolutely committed to making sure that anyone who wants to go to university should be able to go, no matter what their family background is.
“I’m emphasising to our universities that if they want to charge over £6000 a year to our undergraduates, then I am looking to them to do everything they can to make sure they are attracting our brightest and best students.
“Only by Government and universities working together to make sure that we’re fostering the very best talent will we continue to have a world class and competitive university sector.”
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