UK: Undergraduates should pay more
Student fees will have to rise if Britain is to keep its world-class reputation in higher education, the Russell Group of 20 elite universities has warned.
In its submission to Lord Browne’s review of higher education funding, the group predicts its members could be faced with an overall deficit of more than £1.1bllion (US$1.6 billion) by 2012-13. But it does not recommend a big increase in overseas student fees.
In a 46-page submission to the cross-party review, commissioned by the outgoing Labour government, the Russell Group says universities will be forced to make significant cost reductions. It says these are likely to involve reducing staff numbers and cutting back on investment in vital infrastructure …