Gap between rich and poor students 'stark'

An "unacceptably stark" difference remains between the number of rich and poor students choosing to study for a degree, says the head of the universities funding body. Teenagers from poorer backgrounds remain much less likely to go to university, and to study at a top institution, according to a report by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

It warns that some universities could run into trouble if they fail to attract enough students and raises concerns about a slump in the numbers of people studying part time. The new study looks at the impact of reforms to higher education funding. Tuition fees were trebled last autumn, with new undergraduates now charged up to £9,000 a year for a degree course. Graduates begin paying student loans back once they are earning at least £21,000. Read more...