By Roberta Geraci
The government announced this week that University places would be cut by up to 15,000 as it disclosed full details of the higher education budget for the next academic year.
The Government plans to withdraw the additional 10,000 places which were allocated last year to cope with the increased applications, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England has been given instructions to remove a further 5,000 extra places which are normally used to aid universities that over-recruit. In addition fines will be issued of £3,800 for each student recruited over the strict limits.
The information was detailed in a letter a letter to higher-education spending watchdogs from the Business Secretary Vince Cable and the Universities minister, David Willetts which justified the cuts as it would expose “Government to higher than budgeted costs which cannot be absorbed at a time of financial constraint”.
The news has been met by students with “outrage” according to the Telegraph as the drop in the number of places coincides with the increasing fees in the 2012/2013 academic year.
The National Union of Students President, Liam Burns said: “As the country stands on the brink of recession and youth unemployment reaches record levels, ministers have effectively cut places by 15,000 and extinguished hope for many prospective students and set back economic recovery in the process.”
The news was accompanied by cuts to the state funding for teaching of £830m or 18% when compared to last year. David Willetts, the Universities Minister, defended the cuts as he explained: “We are increasing the total funding available to the sector… and our reforms will enable successful universities to expand if they wish to do so. However it is also essential that the sector works collaboratively to lower their costs.”
The Government’s aim is to offset the reduction in state funding with the increase in student fees, and while it is predicted that there will be fewer applicants for University places this year, (link to previous article) the cuts are still likely to mean some will miss out.
Pam Tatlow, of million plus, a University think tank, said: “The reduction in the total number of student places is likely to dash the aspirations and ambitions of many well-qualified applicants.”
While the next academic year likely marks a turning point in the higher education system, the Government have managed to push through the majority of the changes without further legislation as the Higher Education Bill looks set to bedropped or delayed and is likely to “not be part of the government’s legislative programme in the Queen’s Speech.”
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