The article suggests that a number of unintended outcomes could result from the recent Higher Education White Paper and changes in the fees structure. Although the Government aims to provide 65,000 high grade and 20,000 affordable higher education places, the article suggests that this will make little difference to Russell Group universities, who will continue to cream off the top of the student population. The article raises potential concern for post 1992 universities: they will have to compete with Russell Group universities in attracting high grade students on £9000 courses, and will face new competition for non-high grade places from Further Education colleges and private universities who may offer cheaper and shorter degree programs. 

Through SERIO’s research on higher education distinctiveness, Plymouth University has warned that in a non-diverse higher education sector, universities who continue to operate in traditional markets in the future will be at risk of failure. Diversity being the key to a sustainable higher education landscape. Recognizing this warning, the Guardian article suggests that the cost implications and course selections universities will need to consider in light of the Browne Review and recent White Paper could actually lead to a sector which ‘has all the richness and diversity of the modern British high street’.

Read the article here…