The Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University suggested last week that elite British universities should be allowed to charge substantially more than the current £9,000 limit on tuition fees to their students.

Professor Andrew Hamilton argued that the recent increase in fees has been unsuccessful in creating a competitive market within the higher education system, since the vast majority of universities have opted to charge the maximum £9,000.

He pointed out that “given the great diversity in institutions in our higher education system, the notion of different universities charging significantly different amounts, doesn’t feel inherently unnatural.”

He also stated: “There should be greater correspondence between tuition costs and the level and quality of teaching and facilities offered.” Professor Hamilton explained that whilst many universities are able to comfortably cover their costs with the current cap on tuition, the average student costs Oxford £16,000 per year. This leaves a shortfall of £7,000 per student to be covered by the university, amounting to a £70 million annual deficit.

His comments found support from the Russell Group, with Director General Dr Wendy Piatt warning: “Our leading institutions cannot continue to be internationally competitive, provide a first rate teaching experience and offer generous support to disadvantaged students without access to increased funding.’’

Only 1.4 per cent of the United Kingdom’s GDP is spent on higher education, in comparison to the international average of 1.7 per cent. Although Cambridge remains part of the ‘golden triangle’ of Oxbridge and London, and consistently sits at the top of the QS World University Rankings, many respected British universities are slipping down the table. This year, Warwick fell to 64 (down 6 places), and Southampton to 86 (down 13 places), a worrying trend for the other UK universities to observe.

Sally Hunt, General Secretary of University and College Union, praised Professor Hamilton for “going after one of the rarest nerves in politics to
try and get higher education back in the spotlight.”

However, Hunt also warned: “He is wrong to argue that students should pick up the tab when we already have the most expensive fees in Europe.’’

2012 saw 60 leading academics, including one from Oxford and one from Cambridge, sign a letter to Education Secretary Michael Gove expressing their “continued opposition to a system which increasingly excludes working class students and others from non-traditional backgrounds.”

This fear was echoed by Jess Fullman, a student at Trinity Hall, who said: “Although increased funding may be important to ensure Cambridge maintains its reputation as a top university, alternate forms of funding should be considered rather than automatically raising fees, [as] to do so would potentially affect a large majority of students in a very negative way, particularly those from more disadvantaged backgrounds.’’