The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford is warning that the Government's higher education proposals will "further divide an already divided society", following the Office for Fair Access's decisions on 2012 fees and access agreements.
Professor Martin Hall has raised concerns about the social consequences of 'squeezing the middle', through the Government's focus on access to the 'top' universities, which only admit applicants with the highest A-Level grades, combined with pressure to charge towards the bottom of the fees band.
His comments come in light of OFFA's decision on universities' 2012 fees, which include approval of Salford's plans to charge between ?8,000 and ?9,000 per year, alongside significant and continuing investment in widening access to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Professor Hall said: "The decision on Salford's fees was not an easy one. Our fees have been set at levels that will enable us to secure the future of the University following extensive Government funding cuts, and continue to make significant investment in the quality of the student experience.
"While I welcome OFFA's decision to approve our fees proposals, I am deeply concerned that the Government's vision for higher education will further divide an already divided society.
"It is important to note that the Government's White Paper proposals do not recognise the particular importance of bursaries (as opposed to fee waivers) for students from lower income households. Failure to recognise the commitments that universities such as Salford have made to helping students find the cash they need to make the opportunity of university study a reality will have additional damaging effects."
With an average fee across all undergraduate courses of ?8,329, Salford's approved fees package will be boosted by one of the most generous support packages in the sector.
This will include fee discounts and a bursary and scholarship programme offering between ?2,000 and ?5,000 - which will benefit up to 30% of Salford's students.
Professor Hall continued: "We are very pleased that OFFA has recognised Salford's commitment to supporting all students, regardless of circumstances. However, I am more widely concerned about the enhancement of access at the top, combined with the race to the bottom on price.
"By squeezing the middle in this way these proposals may mean that, even more than at present, young adults spend their time at university studying and socialising with those most similar to themselves. This will further accentuate an already divided society."
The University's guide to funding for UK/EU undergraduates starting in September 2012 can be found here.
Source: http://www.salford.ac.uk/news/details/1411
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