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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees: Greater Manchester universities lose millions of pounds | Tuition fees: Greater Manchester universities lose millions of pounds |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| By Abbie Jones BBC North West Tonight | By Abbie Jones BBC North West Tonight |
| Greater Manchester universities have lost hundreds of students and subsequently lost millions of pounds since tuition fees were increased. | Greater Manchester universities have lost hundreds of students and subsequently lost millions of pounds since tuition fees were increased. |
| Salford University said revenue is down by £4m with 440 fewer students. | Salford University said revenue is down by £4m with 440 fewer students. |
| The University of Bolton said it will have to make up to 80 staff redundant because 150 fewer students this year has resulted in a loss of £1m. | The University of Bolton said it will have to make up to 80 staff redundant because 150 fewer students this year has resulted in a loss of £1m. |
| The universities minister said he recognised the total number of students was "rather lower" than forecast. | The universities minister said he recognised the total number of students was "rather lower" than forecast. |
| Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester's student numbers are about 500 down. | Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester's student numbers are about 500 down. |
| 'Missing students' | 'Missing students' |
| Professor Martin Hall, vice chancellor at the University of Salford, said higher education faced its "biggest challenge in 50 years". | Professor Martin Hall, vice chancellor at the University of Salford, said higher education faced its "biggest challenge in 50 years". |
| He said: "Finding £4m in the middle of a year is a difficult thing to do; so it is a big challenge. | He said: "Finding £4m in the middle of a year is a difficult thing to do; so it is a big challenge. |
| "We now know across Britain as a whole there are up to about 60,000 students short across the sector. | "We now know across Britain as a whole there are up to about 60,000 students short across the sector. |
| "It's not just us with our 440 places; there are 60,000 students simply gone missing." | "It's not just us with our 440 places; there are 60,000 students simply gone missing." |
| Dr George Holmes, vice chancellor of University of Bolton, said it has done well with enrolling younger students. | Dr George Holmes, vice chancellor of University of Bolton, said it has done well with enrolling younger students. |
| But he added: "One of the most worrying things this year for universities is that mature students appear to have been put off more than 18-year-olds. | But he added: "One of the most worrying things this year for universities is that mature students appear to have been put off more than 18-year-olds. |
| "In terms of the mature student market, that has dropped off by as much as 50%." | "In terms of the mature student market, that has dropped off by as much as 50%." |
| There has been an extra problem for universities which heavily on recruiting students with AAB grades or higher at A-Level. | There has been an extra problem for universities which heavily on recruiting students with AAB grades or higher at A-Level. |
| The University of Manchester thought it could attract 3,883 of these, but this year not as many students got those high grades. | The University of Manchester thought it could attract 3,883 of these, but this year not as many students got those high grades. |
| Often universities cannot top up with lower grade students because there are quotas enforced. | |
| Universities Minister David Willets said he recognised student numbers were down but pledged to work hard to encourage students to apply next year. | Universities Minister David Willets said he recognised student numbers were down but pledged to work hard to encourage students to apply next year. |
| However, he said some institutions had an seen increase in student numbers. | However, he said some institutions had an seen increase in student numbers. |
| Mr Willets said: "Universities are in a more competitive market and that means some will lose students and others will gain students. | Mr Willets said: "Universities are in a more competitive market and that means some will lose students and others will gain students. |
| "That will arise not because of a decision by government in Whitehall but because of choices by individual students about where they wish to apply." | "That will arise not because of a decision by government in Whitehall but because of choices by individual students about where they wish to apply." |