Essay 3 Final Draft Team 4, Group 32.

Moreno, Mario

Tuition fees proposal: progressive or regressive?

In 2009, the former Prime Minister of the UK, Gordon Brown, launched a revision
of the Higher Education Funding system. The revisions findings, published in
October this year, suggest reducing educational funds, transferring, in turn, most
of the cost to students who will pay by a system of loans. The most remarkable
innovation is the cap-release which will allow universities charge up to 6,000 a
year, and even up to 9,000 in some cases, for tuition fees. The proposal is
aimed at cutting public spending in order to achieve a more progressive system
of educational funding. The British Government is evaluating the new legislation
which will be voted before Christmas and, if accepted, will take effect from the
academic year 2012 onwards. There exists a variety of opinions among the
political parties and also a strong opposition from a big part of the student
population. After the announcement of the proposal, a wail went up along the
country with various demonstrations taking place mainly in London. This essay
will discuss different views shared by members of the Parliament as well as other
unions with regard to whether this proposal could make the system more
progressive or not. I will also mention some of the possible effects this could
have on students and their decision to enter higher education.
One of the most controversial issues about this new plan is whether or not rising
the fees will be benefit students and institutions financially. First of all, it should
be pointed out that the basic idea of Browns review advocates for a Student
finance plan, different from a Graduate tax plan. Basically, this means that
students are made responsible for financing their studies through student loans.
On the one hand, The Conservative Party believes that it will encourage students
into a higher education given that fees will not have to be paid beforehand.
Nobody pays anything up-front. Every single student will pay less per month
than they do currently said Prime Minister David Cameron (Settle, 2010).
Another reason why the plan is thought to be beneficial is that students will
begin to pay their loans once their annual income is over 21,000 as opposed to
15,000 from the current plan. Moreover, some think that the plan will provide
more autonomy for universities. Universities Minister David Willetts says that the
proposed bill puts universities' finance on a sustainable footing with extra
freedoms and less bureaucracy" (Coughlan, 2010). On the other hand, it is
questionable that the new plan will encourage students to go on into a higher
education scheme. Nick Clegg, head of the Liberal Democrat Party, said the plan
could have serious consequences: the poorest would be put off applying at all
(Polly & Rachel, 2010). This last argument seems fair and it is also shared by
Aaron Porter, president of the National Union of Students (NUS) who mentions
various other disadvantages of the proposition. Porter claims that entering in a
30 years debt will discourage students and condition the election of their degree.
Moreover, Porter argues that many students could end up paying little or no fees
given that they will have to start paying when they earn 21,000 a year, and that
the average income is not foreseen to increase the following years (Porter,
2010). Beyond the political disagreements another problem is that the student

Essay 3 Final Draft Team 4, Group 32.Moreno, Mario

population, although fiercely opposing these measures, remains uncertain about
a better alternative (Bagehot, 2010).
Personally, I feel that the proposal is not going to benefit students finance their
courses. The country is in recession; progressively recovering from the credit
crunch which affected many nations across the globe, and therefore it needs
measures to cut back its expenses. However, it seems to me that cutting
education funds by 80%, as announced in the Spending Review in mid October is
an exaggeration (HM Treasury, 2010). I would argue that this policy will
discourage many students who do not want to enter a debt of 30 years. A reason
for this is that with the country currently under a high debt and many British
families struggling on a monthly basis to pay for their loans or mortgages,
students could be dissuaded to enter higher education. This is where, in my
opinion, Browns review fails to generate more participation as it claims it will
do (Brown, 2010, p. 8). Moreover, the fact that many students could end up
eluding payments points out pitfalls on the system which, I would argue, will
make it less convenient for universities. This aside, I would argue that the
concern shown throughout the student protests is not well justified. As
mentioned above, students fail at giving a better solution for how higher
education should be funded; that is why I think their diverse opinions are not
being taken into consideration seriously. (Bagehot, 2010).
Another general concern about the introduction of the new fees is whether or not
this strategy will narrow education to a more elite public. This assumption, of
course, goes hand in hand with the economic issue aforementioned. Browns
review foresees an improvement in the whole higher education sector given that
universities will have to compete for prices and teaching quality (Brown, 2010, p.
8). Mr Willetts also supports this view and claims that it would bring "greater
choice for students with a stronger focus on high quality teaching". Moreover,
the Russell Group CITATION NHS10 \l 3082 welcomed the proposal as a "a life-saving cash
transfusion" and suggested that it was the "only way for the UK to remain a
serious global player in higher education" (Coughlan, 2010). In contrast, there
are those who believe this will favourite only the richest institutions. Porter said
that the cuts will give further cause to those who believe this government
wishes to restrict education to a narrow elite." (Aimhigher university access
scheme scrapped, 2010). One reason to support this claim are the statistics of
the Fol request CITATION NHS10 \l 3082 carried out by David Lammy. The member of the
Labour Party, pointed some noteworthy data about the rank of students at some
prestigious universities Oxford's social profile is 89% upper- and middle-class,
while 87.6% of the Cambridge student body is drawn from the top three
socioeconomic groups (Vasagar, 2010). Furthermore, the fact that some courses
will depend exclusively on the students income threatens putting an end to the
CITATION NHS10 \l 3082 The Russell Group represents the currently 20 leading
UK universities (Russell Group, 2010)
CITATION NHS10 \l 3082 FoI request: Freedom of Information (Vasagar, 2010)
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Essay 3 Final Draft Team 4, Group 32.Moreno, Mario

less demanded courses, frequently those of arts and humanities (Ashley, 2010).
This last claim seems to compromise the diversity of courses.
In my view, tripling students fees will influence the decisions made by students
as well as the criteria for universities to admit them. First of all, as Porter pointed
out, there is not clear evidence that universities will provide better teaching
quality by applying this strategy (Porter, 2010). It seems to me that universities
will seek to make profit by axing the least popular courses and selecting students
from well-off backgrounds. Another way this could harm poor students is the fact
that it may restrict their choices and, it seems to me, that students economic
status could undermine their inspirations. I also think it there is a clear
favouritism when it comes to students admission at distinguished universities. A
clear example can be seen in the FoI where Lammy reported Cambridge didn't
employ a single black academic among its 1,500-strong staff (Oxford and
Cambridge Say Critic's Data Misleading, 2010). What is more, the narrowing of
courses is likely to threaten many jobs of teachers and other workers in areas
where the government will not help to contribute to the cost. Let us also
remember that apart from rising tuition fees, the Government also plans to cut
EMA CITATION NHS10 \l 3082 and Aimhigher CITATION NHS10 \l 3082 programs. (Aimhigher
university access scheme scrapped , 2010). From my point of view, this will
result in a reduction of lower-class students since some will face economic
difficulties before even applying for university.
This situation is not exclusive to the UK; other countries reviewing public
spending are also considering to lower the educational budget. However, it could
be argued that the system is taking a more radical change in England than
elsewhere. To compare how these plans are being taken into effect seems very
difficult since the circumstances change severely among countries. Nonetheless,
it seems fair to point out some of these policies to evaluate whether England is
walking into a more progressive funding system or not.
For instance, the current 3,290 fee will scarcely vary for Welsh students, even if
they wish to access an English university, but they will increase for English
students who want to access Welsh universities. Some English students regard
this policy with discontent given to its seeming unfairness. It would seem that
the Wales is more committed than England to the provision of higher education
(McVeigh, 2010). A similar strategy is taken in Scotland, where Scottish students
will not pay fees in Scottish Universities, although English Students will. In
Northern Ireland a decision is still to be taken but it is predicted that the high
fees will not be taken. According to these resolutions, it could be argued that
England is taking a more bold approach than the rest of the UK. A day before for
CITATION NHS10 \l 3082 EMA: Education Maintenance Allowance (Directgov,
2010)
CITATION NHS10 \l 3082 Aimhigher is a program aimed at widening
participation in UK higher education (Directgov, Aimhigher: helping you into
higher education, 2010)
3

Essay 3 Final Draft Team 4, Group 32.Moreno, Mario

the bill to pass through the Commons, the British PM, David Cameron,
maintained that these measures where necessary: if you want university
education to expand, and if you want proper funding for the system, you have to
pay for it (Mulholland, 2010). It seems fair to remember that some believe that
passing on the learning costs to students, universities will be freer and
competitive: the success of this country's HE sector now and in future rests
on its autonomy (Willetts, 2010). However, it should be pointed out that some
alternatives to higher education are gaining popularity. Distance learning and
other programs may succeed at drawing those students with less accessibility to
the institutions or with economic difficulties; given that the prices are
considerably lower to university fees (Richardson, 2010).
It seems to me that the decisions taken by the English Government are
precipitated and appear to be discouraging many English students. I would argue
that the numbers the Government is suggesting seem intimidating for some
students, who will be encouraged to look for other options. A reason to support
this is the growing number of those moving to foreign countries to study. I
turned down a place at Birmingham University to come to American University in
Washington DC says Jack Scott If the prices are going to be similar why not
come to America (Vaidyanathan, 2010). I think this is a valid point and his view
could be shared by many who fancy studying overseas. In addition, another
alternative which seems to be growing is distance learning courses. Philip Hallam
chief executive of RDI CITATION NHS10 \l 3082 says today's teenagers are comfortable
using this technology for learning (Richardson, 2010). This sounds like is a
practical and affordable option, and from my point of view attractive for
students; which is why I believe, the suggested plan might fail at bringing more
students into higher education.
There is little doubt that the education funds have to be reduced in order to meet
other needs. The Spending Review advocates for a redistribution of the national
budget by reducing costs in services such as higher education and the
NHS CITATION RDI10 \l 3082 . However, some people agree that the way the Government
has come about this policies seems a little precipitated. It is difficult,
nonetheless, to determine whether the new rise in tuition fees will help make the
higher educational funding system more progressive. The sudden change seems
to scare many people; for one thing, English students will be paying the highest
tuition fees of European countries. On the other hand, it seems reasonable to
argue that the liberty provided to Universities will force them to competition for
offering students better courses, and services. Moreover, as far as for those who
dismiss this proposal for being elitist, it could be objected that statistics show a
certain preference among prestigious universities like Oxford or Cambridge, but
CITATION NHS10 \l 3082 RDI: Resource Development International. Its the
worlds largest independent provider of UK university distance learning
qualifications. (RDI, 2010)
CITATION RDI10 \l 3082 NHS: National Health Service (NHS, 2010)
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Essay 3 Final Draft Team 4, Group 32.Moreno, Mario

it is not clear that the rest of English Universities do. To add, a big concern lies on
the inequality of higher education for students of different part of the UK, given
the sum English students will have to face in comparison to Welsh or Scottish
students. Beyond the Parliamentary discussion, the controversy seems to
stimulate students into violent protests all over the country; who, in some cases,
ignore or do not have a well-formed opinion the changes taking place.
In conclusion, I have analysed some of the main points concerning the proposed
cap-release for tuition fees in UK universities. I have also commented on what I
believe are going to be the most significant causes of this new plan. Then again,
it seems complicated to understand how this new policy will affect the country
and whether or not the plan offers a more progressive system or, in contrast,
regressive one. What seems clear is that the educational system is likely to take
a fast-moving alteration if the plan is approved next Thursday at the House of
Commons.

Essay 3 Final Draft Team 4, Group 32.Moreno, Mario

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Essay 3 Final Draft Team 4, Group 32.Moreno, Mario

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Essay 3 Final Draft Team 4, Group 32.Moreno, Mario