Wide ranging student review announced

Alex Brooks London

Estelle Morris, secretary of state for education and skills, has announced a "wide-ranging and fundamental review" into higher education in England.

The current system of tuition fees and student loans has been deeply unpopular, with the abolition of grants in 1997 facing particular criticism. A recent report in the Guardian newspaper claimed that there was disagreement between key departments over future student funding.

A "graduate tax" of 3p in the £1, providing increased university funding and a universal £3800 maintenance grant, has been suggested by the Department for Education and Skills. The Treasury favours a means tested grant of up to £2700 and abandonment of the current student loan system, according to the Guardian.

The Liberal Democrats' shadow secretary, Phil Willis, emphasised the exceptional difficulties faced by medical students. He told the House of Commons that "the point about whether it is good for students to go to work is academic for medical students, because most of them are on their course for 50 weeks a year. They cannot exist at university without huge parental support. The sad fact is that 80% of all medical students are from the top two socioeconomic groups... that is not right and we need to tackle it."

Of the few medical students from a semi or unskilled background, 48% receive no parental support. In a letter to the Times Jenny Ciechan, chairperson of the BMA medical students committee, said, "The current system relies heavily on... significant parental contributions." She called for the government to reduce the high costs associated with a medical degree to ensure that "students from all walks of life (are) given the chance to study medicine."

The government is trying to extend universities beyond a "birthright for the middle classes" and says that increased participation in higher education is "one of this government's highest priorities." Young people from professional families are five times more likely to attend university than their counterparts from manual and unskilled backgrounds, but the government is aiming for half of all under 30s to enter higher education by 2010.

The review will tackle several issues. These include increasing the number of students entering higher education, maintaining the UK's position as a leading research nation, sustaining high teaching and learning standards, examining management and leadership structures in institutions, and forging stronger links between universities and industry.




studentBMJ 2001;09:443-486 December ISSN 0966-6494