Vice-Chancellor wins over audience at the Exeter Debate

President of the NUS (National Union of Students), Toni Pearce made a spirited proposer, arguing that even the current £9K fees charged by the majority of universities should be limited to fewer institutions. She concluded her opening speech by saying raising the cap on fees would benefit no one.

Sir Steve based his arguments on his long career in Higher Education and his assessment of the current political landscape. He said: “My personal preference would be for income tax to pay for university education, though as you all know there is one significant objection in terms of social justice, namely that the poor (who are about two and a half times less likely to go to university than the wealthy) pay for the wealthy to go to university.

“I do believe that tuition fees will have to increase at some point in the medium term. Because UK universities cannot continue to be internationally competitive, provide a first-class student experience and offer generous support to disadvantaged students without maintaining real purchasing power, at the very least.  I also believe it is unrealistic, in the near future, to hope that this will be funded by the public purse.”

He said afterwards: “I was delighted to see so many staff and students at the debate and engaging in this critical discussion. Maintaining a world-class education and student experience in our universities does not come without a price tag; my job is to lobby to try and get money into the university system for the benefit of our students and the region in which we are based.”