Classroom costs revised

THE FUNDING council has bowed to pressure from higher education departments ranked as classroom-based, and therefore low-cost, and announced further re-pricings in its proposed funding methodology for teaching. The scheme is designed to iron out different rates of funding.

Outside consultants are to determine the correct pricing for some departments. Those affected are:

* psychology: teaching will be divided in to high and low cost and assigned to either price group B or D. Where both high and low-cost teaching are carried out in one department, a proportional split will be agreed for 1998/99.

* computer science: criteria for classifying high-cost computer science departments are currently being circulated and those departments fulfilling the criteria will be reassigned to group B. This should be settled in time for 1998/99.

* sports science: consultants' reports are also awaited to produce guidance in time for 1999/2000.

* postgraduate clinical medicine and dentistry: a working group is to advise HEFCE on the most appropriate price group.

* education: consultants are reviewing the cost structure of education departments. If the recommendation is for reassignment, this will be completed in time for 1999/2000.

* media production: consultants will advise on which media production departments can be reassigned to a higher price group for 1999/2000.

Psychology, page 7