The extra 10 per cent funding per part-time student heralded for Birkbeck, the Open University and other similar institutions from 2004-05 is a myth ("Grants gamble to save bill", THES , January 9). No new money is available. The 10 per cent premium is simply offsetting a negative change in the funding system relating to the assumed fee income of part-time students.
We urgently need a funding review for institutions with part-time students given the proposed radical changes over full-time student fees.
David Latchman
Master Birkbeck
University of London