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Fees 'should aid poor students' Fees 'should aid poor students'
(about 3 hours later)
If universities in England are allowed to raise tuition fees they must protect access for poorer applicants, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has said. Universities must protect access for poorer applicants if they are to be allowed to raise tuition fees, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has said.
The peer, who is responsible for higher education, wants to see social mobility and academic excellence supported.The peer, who is responsible for higher education, wants to see social mobility and academic excellence supported.
The "historic anti-elitism" in left-wing education policy is a "dead end," he will say in a speech. The "historic anti-elitism" in left-wing education policy is a "dead end," he told a vice-chancellors' meeting.
But the Russell Group, which represents universities, says there is no conflict between affluence and education.But the Russell Group, which represents universities, says there is no conflict between affluence and education.
Lord Mandelson's speech, to be delivered at Birkbeck, University of London, will set out the major issues facing the university sector. A review of postgraduate education is also to be announced. Lord Mandelson's speech, delivered at Birkbeck, University of London, set out the major issues facing the university sector.
A review of postgraduate education was also announced.
Funding remains the biggest concern.Funding remains the biggest concern.
The historic anti-elitism of some parts of the left on education policy has often been a dead end because it has confused excellence and privilege Lord MandelsonThe historic anti-elitism of some parts of the left on education policy has often been a dead end because it has confused excellence and privilege Lord Mandelson
"Bluntly put: excellence is not cheap," Lord Mandelson will say. "Bluntly put: excellence is not cheap," Lord Mandelson said.
A review of tuition fees is to begin in the autumn - and Lord Mandelson said any higher charges to students must take into account the needs of poorer families.A review of tuition fees is to begin in the autumn - and Lord Mandelson said any higher charges to students must take into account the needs of poorer families.
"There must always be a link between what an institution charges and its performance in widening access and supporting those without the ability to pay," he will tell universities. "There must always be a link between what an institution charges and its performance in widening access and supporting those without the ability to pay," he said.
However, Dr Wendy Piatt, director general of the Russell Group which represents the 20 top universities, said: "It may be counter-intuitive, but actually we know from the evidence that finance plays very little role in determining whether a child goes to university.However, Dr Wendy Piatt, director general of the Russell Group which represents the 20 top universities, said: "It may be counter-intuitive, but actually we know from the evidence that finance plays very little role in determining whether a child goes to university.
"So the evidence shows that if a working-class child manages to overcome all the barriers they face and achieve three good A-levels, they're just as likely as their middle-class peer to go to university.""So the evidence shows that if a working-class child manages to overcome all the barriers they face and achieve three good A-levels, they're just as likely as their middle-class peer to go to university."
She added there was a "huge increase" in applications to English universities this year, despite the introduction of variable fees, which showed fees and access were not at odds with each other. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there had been a "huge increase" in applications to English universities this year despite the introduction of variable fees, which showed fees and access were not at odds with each other.
Last week, former minister Alan Milburn delivered a report on social mobility which was critical of universities' performance in recruiting students from disadvantaged backgrounds.Last week, former minister Alan Milburn delivered a report on social mobility which was critical of universities' performance in recruiting students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Lord Mandelson, highlighting the lack of progress, will suggest that universities should engage with potential applicants at a much earlier stage, becoming more involved with schools. Lord Mandelson, highlighting the lack of progress, suggested that universities should engage with potential applicants at a much earlier stage, becoming more involved with schools.
Student changesStudent changes
But he rejects as outdated the idea that there is a contradiction between the pursuit of excellence and the expansion of opportunity. But he rejected as outdated the idea that there was a contradiction between the pursuit of excellence and the expansion of opportunity.
"I think that the historic anti-elitism of some parts of the left on education policy has often been a dead end because it has confused excellence and privilege," says Lord Mandelson. "I think that the historic anti-elitism of some parts of the left on education policy has often been a dead end because it has confused excellence and privilege," said Lord Mandelson.
"But the only way to square that circle is a higher education system that widens access and increases social mobility even as it fosters excellence.""But the only way to square that circle is a higher education system that widens access and increases social mobility even as it fosters excellence."
If this language suggests the end of Oxbridge-bashing, he also presents the tuition fees debate in the context of a university sector rapidly moving away from its traditional image. If this language suggests the end of Oxbridge-bashing, he also presented the tuition fees debate in the context of a university sector rapidly moving away from its traditional image.
We have to face up to the challenge of paying for excellence Lord MandelsonWe have to face up to the challenge of paying for excellence Lord Mandelson
Fees and loans will have to reflect the changes in the student population, he says, with the growth in mature and part-time students, many living at home. Fees and loans would have to reflect the changes in the student population, he said, with the growth in mature and part-time students, many living at home.
Only one in three students are now in the straight-from-school 18 to 22-year-old age bracket, Lord Mandelson will tell university leaders. Only one in three students are now in the straight-from-school 18 to 22-year-old age bracket, Lord Mandelson told the university leaders.
Postgrads
Lord Mandelson is to launch a framework for higher education in the autumn, setting out a blueprint for its future.Lord Mandelson is to launch a framework for higher education in the autumn, setting out a blueprint for its future.
But ahead of that framework, he is to announce a review of postgraduate education, to be carried out by Professor Adrian Smith, director general of science and research in Lord Mandelson's department. This is likely to consider developments across the UK. Lord Mandelson's responsibility is primarily for English higher education, but much university funding comes via research councils which are UK-wide.
But ahead of that framework, he is to hold a review of postgraduate education, to be carried out by Professor Adrian Smith, director general of science and research in his department.
Postgraduate courses have become an important source of income for universities, particularly from the higher fees paid by overseas students.Postgraduate courses have become an important source of income for universities, particularly from the higher fees paid by overseas students.
But there have been concerns about the quality of some courses and questions about whether there should be greater strategic planning.But there have been concerns about the quality of some courses and questions about whether there should be greater strategic planning.
"It is a major export earner for the UK, and one which we have perhaps taken too much for granted," says Lord Mandelson. "It is a major export earner for the UK, and one which we have perhaps taken too much for granted," said Lord Mandelson.
The framework document is also expected to review how the quality of university courses is assured - and in his speech Lord Mandelson will call for "ways of incentivising excellence in academic teaching".The framework document is also expected to review how the quality of university courses is assured - and in his speech Lord Mandelson will call for "ways of incentivising excellence in academic teaching".
But funding remains the most pressing issue, with concerns this summer that many applicants will be left without places.But funding remains the most pressing issue, with concerns this summer that many applicants will be left without places.
"We have to face up to the challenge of paying for excellence," says Lord Mandelson."We have to face up to the challenge of paying for excellence," says Lord Mandelson.