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.