BBC Learning English
Words in the News
9
th
February 2011
Top universities likely to charge maximum fees
Words in the News
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011
Page 1 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com
Two of Britain's top universities are expected to increase tuition fees to the maximum level
allowed by new laws. Both Oxford and Cambridge said that charging the maximum for all
subjects from 2012 was the only way of maintaining academic excellence. Mark Lobel reports.
The cost of a top education in England looks set to soar. The British government chose to
allow universities to increase tuition fees to $9,500 a year, to secure the future of higher
education as public finances are cut. Ministers said the costs could rise to around $14,500 in
exceptional circumstances.
Surprisingly, two of England's most prestigious universities, Oxford and Cambridge, have
already signalled they will charge this top rate. An internal Cambridge review said it'll be for
all courses, with discounts of up to $5,000 for poorer students. The deputy head of Oxford
University said it'll be charging the maximum for all subjects, to make up for budget cuts and
to be able to subsidise the less well-off.
Opposing the increases, some students said talented young people could still be turned off
applying, to avoid being overwhelmed by debt. They fear social elitism will replace academic
excellence.
Mark Lobel, BBC News
