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10 May 2011
Last updated at 03:41 ET
Universities in England may be permitted to make extra places available for wealthy British students, under government proposals.
They would be charged as much as those from outside the European Union (EU).
Ministers say the proposal would free up publicly subsidised university places for poorer students.
Under the current system, the government sets a quota for the number of places English universities are allowed to offer each year.
From September 2012, universities in England will be allowed to raise tuition fees to up to £9,000 per year.
It marks an increase in the cap from the current level of £3,290.
Universities wanting to charge more than £6,000 will have to undertake measures such as offering bursaries, summer schools and outreach programmes, to encourage students from poorer backgrounds to apply.
The policy was developed as the government's response to a review of higher education funding by former BP chief Lord Browne.
Students from outside the EU pay higher fees and are not eligible for any grants or loans.
Under the latest proposals, wealthy students could pay higher fees for an extra place at the university of their choice as long as they meet entry requirements.
The move would enable the most popular universities to expand.
Universities Minister David Willetts said he wanted the government's forthcoming white paper on university funding to liberalise the system.
BBC Education correspondent Gillian Hargreaves said the proposals "would be controversial".
"Critics would argue the wealthiest families would be able to buy a place on a degree course," she said.
Are you planning on going to university? What do you think of these proposals? Send us your comments using the form below.
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They would be charged as much as those from outside the European Union (EU).
Ministers say the proposal would free up publicly subsidised university places for poorer students.
Under the current system, the government sets a quota for the number of places English universities are allowed to offer each year.
From September 2012, universities in England will be allowed to raise tuition fees to up to £9,000 per year.
It marks an increase in the cap from the current level of £3,290.
Universities wanting to charge more than £6,000 will have to undertake measures such as offering bursaries, summer schools and outreach programmes, to encourage students from poorer backgrounds to apply.
The policy was developed as the government's response to a review of higher education funding by former BP chief Lord Browne.
Students from outside the EU pay higher fees and are not eligible for any grants or loans.
Under the latest proposals, wealthy students could pay higher fees for an extra place at the university of their choice as long as they meet entry requirements.
The move would enable the most popular universities to expand.
Universities Minister David Willetts said he wanted the government's forthcoming white paper on university funding to liberalise the system.
BBC Education correspondent Gillian Hargreaves said the proposals "would be controversial".
"Critics would argue the wealthiest families would be able to buy a place on a degree course," she said.
Are you planning on going to university? What do you think of these proposals? Send us your comments using the form below.
Powered By WizardRSS.com | Full Text RSS Feed | Amazon Plugin | Hud Settlement Statement
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