Fees and the Overseas

In a recent article on Times Higher, William Evans argues that charging non-EU students more in fees is discriminatory.  My view? 

In 12 years of University administration (in both central and academic departments), my experience has been that providing a service to non-EU students makes up a disproportionate amount of the work that administrators do.  That may be based on explaining complex processes to someone whose first language isn't English or dealing with cultural differences in approaches to study, cheating, etc. 

My impression has always been that part of the justification of higher fees is the amount of work put in to ensure that non-EU students get a comparable experience to the rest of their cohort.  This extends beyond the level of support that a British student may require.

I do recognise that part of this imbalance between the support of non-EU and EU students may also have come from expectations of the students themselves.  Having paid more than their colleagues have, they demand more in the way of services and support.  How far that is true, we'll probably find out when the rise in the fee cap means greater parity in fees between them.

Revolutions

I can't be alone amongst University Administrators in silently admiring those student that have chosen to show the Coalition Government exactly what they think of their proposals for the funding of HE. 

Not the one that decided to drop a fire extinguisher off the roof of Millbank (ARU must be so proud) or those that broke the windows though (far better to have just demanded membership forms for everyone outside).  The Socialist Worker Party and its ilk, adherents and loose affiliates eagerly turn up at any protest believing it to be the start of the Glorious Revolution and no doubt thought this one had more weight as the middle classes were involved.

The students that get my admiration are those that are vocalising and putting into action a heartfelt belief that HE should be free to all, funded by the state.  Unfortunately, it looks like that tenet of UK society was lost when Labour got to power in 1997 and abandoned it when faced with the balance sheets and the risk involved with raising taxes for the rich.  They were the ones that introduced fees and shifted the responsibility for funding HE from Government to "customers".

What this government is proposing to do is the logical conclusion of that process, Arts and Humanities are to be funded entirely by the students studying them, with Sciences only getting some basic funding (even though Browne has said that wasn't what he intended).  The illogical twist is that Universities will still be beholden to the Government, even for those courses it no longer funds.

All eyes are on the Commons now and the vote on 9 December.  Will there be revolt amongst LibDem Cabinet Ministers?  Will the coalition suffer a defeat, its first?  Or will this all lead to a revolution in private provision of HE in the UK?

Top Fee or Not Top Fee?

So, Browne paved the way and then the Government announced a new cap of £6k, a new cap in "exceptional circumstances" of £9k and a rise in the earning threshold to £21k before it needs paying back.

So, what are "exceptional circumstances".  David Willetts' statement to the house goes on to talk about instiutions charging above 6k basically having to agree a programme of widening participation and scholarships with the Office for Fair Access.  Is everyone exceptional then?  Isn't this just a carrot to say, if you want to charge the full amount, just put some of the money towards schemes to encourage social mobility, thus hoping to keep the headline amount the 6k (which most papers ignored).  Given large numbers of institutions already have well developed programmes, will there be a national standard?

So, will this be a repeat of when fees rose from 1 to 3k, when a few held fire for a year, until it appeared to be more damaging not to increase to the full amount?  The Russell Group have been bullish in their support of Browne and also the Government proposals. So it appear they will jump to 9k.  Will others just follow to avoid being considered second rate?  Crucial to this will be how it affects applications.

We'll no doubt see a boost in UCAS applications for 2011 to avoid the new fees, as we did when fees were introduced.  But what then?  Will those from less privileged backgrounds gravitate towards those only at 6k?  Will it make no impact at all?  Will they just drop out of the market entirely?

And will universities decide to raise the fees universally, or create an internal market with Law and Medicine at 9k and Philosophy at 6k?  It would seem more justifiable in terms of incentive to the student to sign up for a higher costing course if the expected increase in wage post-qualification is directly connected to the degree subject.  But what does that mean to the university? VIP areas in the library for those whose course funded them?  Some facilities are for all and centrally run functions often work on the basis of even contributions from all admissions. 

Will universities look to ditch those courses that can't attract the more financially-minded applicants?  what future for a 4 year course with a year abroad in the culture being studied or a year in industry?  Will that be worth an extra 6 to 9k?  Pressure is on the Arts subjects and maybe a reduced fee will keep them alive.


That old Chinese curse about interesting times is on a few lips.

B Day Approaches

Well, it's October and the Government are due to tell everyone where the budget cuts will fall and Lord Browne will deliver his report on fees.  Are you sitting uncomfortably?

The whole funding issue brings to mind landlords.  I've had a number in my time, from agencies for student houses to private landlords dealing with me direct.  Either they ignore you and leave you to it (which is annoying when the heating doesn't work) or they spring to attention to keep their property up to scratch and you're having to change your plans at the weekend to be in when they inspect or rip out the cooker.

Surprising, the interventionalist Labour goverment left well alone, apart from bringing in the Fees already promised and then bumping them slightly.  Not that we didn't feel neglected, or think that nothing was being done about the long term future.

Now the coalition is about to contact us for the first time.  I suspect the rent's about to go up and a new tenancy agreement forced on us.