Mixed reaction at top to new model for higher education

The heads of both Leeds and York University have said the student finance plan identified in the report provide a new model for higher education to move forward.

However Leeds Metropolitan University's vice chancellor, Prof Susan Price, has said the proposals contain a double whammy for students who will be hit by both rising fees and a new loans system which will see a commercial rate of interest apply once graduates earn a set amount.

She said: "We are disappointed that these proposals may result in too great a financial burden for some potential students, who may decide not to enter higher education at all. This would not only reduce social mobility but, over the longer term, weaken the higher level skills base of our economy."

Prof Michael Arthur, vice chancellor of Leeds University, said the new fee would be "the softest debt imaginable" as repayments would only start once graduates earned more than 21,000 and if the fees were not paid off after 30 years they would written off.

He said: "We appreciate potential students will be concerned about the increased fees but we will work with them to understand how supportive the Browne Review recommendations are for students particularly those in most need."

York University's vice chancellor Prof Brian Cantor said: "A strong, well-funded and globally competitive higher education sector is essential to the country's interests.

"The Browne Review is an important step towards a new model of funding for higher education. We look forward to participating in the national debate that will now take place."

Bradford University's vice chancellor Prof Mark Cleary warned that the radical restructuring of tuition fees was being suggested alongside "very deep" cuts to teaching funding which will leave universities reliant on finance from student.

He said: "Those cuts are intended to be replaced by private funding from students facilitated through a complete lifting of any cap on tuition fees. This shift from public to private funding of universities is unprecedented.

"Bradford University will be assessing the recommendations of the Browne Review together with the likely impact of the cuts in the Comprehensive Spending Review in determining how it responds to the pressures to raise student fees.

"Our commitment to ensure we recruit as widely as possible, our work in widening access to the opportunities that higher education provides, and

our commitment to working for the benefit of the city and the region will remain paramount in deciding our position on the level of tuition fees we will charge."