A price war in the competition to recruit overseas students seems about to break out as universities start to set wildly different prices for the courses starting in the autumn. For the first time, the Universities Grants Committee has handed over to universities the task of pricing courses for overseas students. Initial figures available this week reveal that several institutions are now considering increases substantially below the 10 per cent rise suggested by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals.
A large number of newly qualified postgraduate teachers in maths and physics are still seeking teaching posts despite national shortages. A survey by the University Council for the Education of Teachers shows that more than 9 per cent of those who qualified in maths and 7 per cent of physics students are still looking for posts.