Wealthy students could be given chance to pay for extra university places

Tue, 10 May 2011

Students from wealthy backgrounds could be given the chance to gain a place at the university of choice providing they pay vastly higher fees than other students under proposals being considered by the government.

Currently, universities are given a quota of undergraduate places English universities can offer each year.

But under the new proposals, they would also be allowed to offer a number of 'off-quota' places on top of these.

Students who gained a place in this way would not be entitled to student loans to pay for tuition fees or living expenses and could face costs similar to those of international undergraduates, who can pay up to £28,000 a year for the most expensive courses at top universities.

They would still need to meet the universities' academic admissions criteria, however.

The government argues the scheme will allow more employers and charities to sponsor students through university, while also allowing universities to open up more places for poorer students.

However, it is likely to lead to allegations that the plans will allow those from rich backgrounds to 'buy' places at the top universities that they might not otherwise get.
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