The best for universities over the next few years is not good

There is a choice: a numbers cap or a cap on aggregate higher education spend. A Secretary of State for Education convinced of the value of a university education would prefer the latter. In doing this, he or she would also make cost reductions – or the realisation of economies of scale – universities’ business. Neatly, if a cap on total higher education costs did lead to a decline in student numbers, it would be universities’ responsibility. More...