Edinburgh's universities respond to Browne report

The University of Edinburgh is set to support a graduate contribution but not variable fees, The Journal has learned.

Edinburgh’s universities have been reluctant to respond to The Journal's requests for them to clarify their official positions following the release of the Browne Report on 12 October.

Lord Browne of Madingley recommended that the cap on tuition fees in England and Wales should be lifted, encouraging universities to put quality first and charge accordingly.  

The Russell Group, a collection of the UK’s top research universities including the University of Edinburgh, has come out in support of increased tuition fees.

Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Group, said that: “We support the urgent and necessary reforms outlined by the Browne Review. These recommendations could make or break our world-class universities. That’s because, bluntly, our leading institutions will not be able to compete with generously-funded universities in other countries if they are not able to secure extra funding.”

Graduate contribution has been recommended by the National Union of Students. Under this system, students would make contributions to their university only after they have graduated and started to earn above a certain figure. Contribution would also be tiered to reflect a graduate’s income, ensuring that those who benefit most from university pay more.

Speaking to The Journal, Liz Rawlings, president of Edinburgh University Students’ Association, stressed the importance of finding a fair solution to the problem of higher education funding.

“The Browne Review sets a dangerous precedent for which funding model Scotland's University vice-chancellors will favour," she said.

"Fees in England mean an increased likelihood of fees here… We need to make the Scottish politicians aware that students won't stand for fees which deter people from poorer backgrounds from applying to university. We must search for a progressive and fair solution to university funding which is radically removed from the outdated tuition fee system.”

Edinburgh Napier University was also reluctant to comment, but told The Journal that they are supporting Universities Scotland.

Universities Scotland are in favour of a “fair contribution” from graduates if necessary, although director Alistair Sims has made it clear that securing sufficient public funding would be the preferable option.

Professor Petra Wend, Principal of Queen Margaret University, also supported this priority, saying that: “The sector’s immediate priority must be to make the case for appropriate public investment in Scotland’s universities in the Scottish Government’s Budget for 2011/12.”

Heriot-Watt University would not commit itself to a specific funding solution but also stressed the importance of next month’s Budget Bill.

Professor Steve Chapman, Principal of HWU, told The Journal: “It will be at least two years before it's technically possible to implement any kind of new and sustainable funding solution.

"In that time more than a quarter of a million students will have gone through Scotland's universities. Those students are entitled to demand proper investment in their education right now… The wrong decisions over the coming weeks could irreversibly damage one of Scotland's leading assets.”

ECA were unavailable for comment.