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£14,000 tuition fees planned for shorter degree courses £14,000 tuition fees plan for two-year degree courses
(about 4 hours later)
Universities in England will be able to charge higher annual fees for shorter degree courses, under plans from the government. Universities in England will be able to charge more than £14,000 per year for a fast-track two year degree, under plans from the government.
Students will be able to get a degree in two years rather than three - and save a year's living costs. Students would be able to get a degree in two years rather than three - and save a year's living costs.
But universities will be able to charge more - and with fee increases in the pipeline, courses could cost more than £14,000 per year. But universities would be able to charge students the price of three years of tuition fees for these accelerated two year courses.
This would make annual fees in England higher than many US state universities.This would make annual fees in England higher than many US state universities.
The proposals, expected to be presented by the Universities Minister Jo Johnson, would encourage more flexibility over the length of time spent studying for an undergraduate degree. Universities Minister Jo Johnson told university leaders such flexibility would make courses more attractive for mature students and disadvantaged youngsters who might be put off by a full three year degree.
There have been attempts to do this in the past - but there has been little financial incentive for universities to run fast-track degrees if the amount they receive in fees is also reduced. The minister said that the option of two-year courses would help with "increasing choice in our system, and opening up opportunities to more people than ever before".
But the UCU lecturers' union warned that the main beneficiaries would be private, for-profit providers, who could adopt a "pile 'em high and teach 'em cheap" approach.
The Russell Group of leading universities said this would need "careful consideration" so that these shorter course "don't negatively affect student learning or compromise the overall undergraduate experience".
But Universities UK said it would be "a good thing" if regulations over tuition fee limit could be changed to allow such flexibility.
Labour's Gordon Marsden said: "Is it yet another example of their using their new higher education legislation as a Trojan Horse to let tuition fees rip?"
More contact time?More contact time?
There have been attempts for shorter courses in the past - but there has been little financial incentive for universities to run fast-track degrees if the amount they receive in fees is also reduced.
Concerns have also been expressed about a two-tier university system - with better-off students able to pay for a full three-year experience.Concerns have also been expressed about a two-tier university system - with better-off students able to pay for a full three-year experience.
The University and College Union said allowing institutions to offer more high-cost, shorter degrees might be good news for the for-profit companies circling UK higher education, but risked worsening ties with other countries.
It would also do little to open up the university experience to more students.
It called on the government to resist a "pile 'em high and teach 'em cheap" approach to students' education.
The proposals would allow universities to sign students up for a two-year degree and receive the same fee income as they would get from a three-year course.The proposals would allow universities to sign students up for a two-year degree and receive the same fee income as they would get from a three-year course.
It would mean that students and their parents would face lower costs in accommodation and living expenses.It would mean that students and their parents would face lower costs in accommodation and living expenses.
This would also respond to concerns about the lack of "contact time" for some university courses - with some students only receiving a few hours a week of seminars and lectures and long holidays in the summer and at Christmas.This would also respond to concerns about the lack of "contact time" for some university courses - with some students only receiving a few hours a week of seminars and lectures and long holidays in the summer and at Christmas.
A shorter time in university would also allow students to begin working at an earlier stage and repay their loan debts.A shorter time in university would also allow students to begin working at an earlier stage and repay their loan debts.
FlexibilityFlexibility
The government has already announced that it will allow fees to be increased to £9,250 per year - and then to continue to increase in line with inflation.The government has already announced that it will allow fees to be increased to £9,250 per year - and then to continue to increase in line with inflation.
There are also plans to sell more of the loan debts owed by students to private investors - with the amount paid back also including up to 30 years of interest charges.There are also plans to sell more of the loan debts owed by students to private investors - with the amount paid back also including up to 30 years of interest charges.
"Students are crying out for more flexible courses, modes of study which they can fit around work and life, shorter courses that enable them to get into and back into work more quickly, and courses that equip them with the skills that the modern workplace needs," Mr Johnson will tell university leaders. Mr Johnson said that this would not mean any "flight" from the traditional three-year degree, but would provide an alternative approach.
"I absolutely recognise that for many students the classic three-year residential model will remain the preferred option. "We know that accelerated courses appeal especially to students who may not otherwise choose to pursue a degree," he said, in a speech to university heads in London.
"But it clearly must not be the only option." "This includes mature students who want to retrain and enter the workplace faster than a traditional full-time three-year degree would permit, those from non-traditional or disadvantaged backgrounds, or those who want to get into the workplace faster."
The Russell Group of top universities said there were a number of reasons why full-time, three-year degree programmes are generally the most appropriate at research-intensive institutions. Mr Johnson also announced plans for universities to reveal more detailed information about the attainment levels of different groups - such as ethnic minorities and disadvantaged youngsters.
"Careful consideration will be needed for how these accelerated courses are delivered so that they don't negatively affect student learning or compromise the overall undergraduate experience," said a spokesman. There are also plans to make it easier for students to move between universities or courses.