Vice chancellors react angrily to suggestion that students should pay their fee contribution in instalments

University and college funding. THES reporters assess the impact of the chancellor's pre-budget statement

Vice chancellors have reacted angrily to a suggestion in Mr Clark's letter that universities should consider inviting students to pay their fee contribution in instalments to avoid "the disincentive effect that could arise from the charge being levied too early".

The same idea was promoted in a letter to school sixth formers from Mr Blunkett. He suggests that institutions might take account of individual students' circumstances "in allowing the fee to be paid in more than one instalment".

The Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals, in a circular to members, said it had made "strong representations" to the DfEE to leave this out of the letter.