Students fear fees could create UK 'Ivy League'

January 9, 2004

Birmingham University students have attacked plans for variable fees.

Jenny Elliott , 20, a third-year medical student from Sheffield, said: "It will lead to a two-tier education system. It will create a British Ivy League."

She derided plans for a bursary scheme if payments were going to be just £1,000. "It wouldn't pay the rent for more than four months."

Victoria Price , 21, a second-year history student from Wales, said many on arts and humanities courses would be wary of paying £3,000 a year for six contact hours a week. Her loans will leave her with £16,000 of debt on graduation before adding fees.

Robert Dixon , 21, a third-year medical student from Guildford, said fees should be fixed. "Top-ups will create a system where those who can pay more will get more." He said it would lead to league tables, with students going to the university they could afford, rather than the one best for them.

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