National university bursary scheme required to replace failing system, says UCU
18 September 2008
UCU today reiterated calls for a national bursary scheme for students. The union said the inequity highlighted in a report from the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) of the current scheme made the case for a national scheme and served as a warning against trying to introduce market forces in to higher education.
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'Today's report highlights the inequity of the current arrangements and the market in bursaries that has been allowed to develop. We need a simpler and fairer scheme where all students can apply with ease for the money they are entitled to.
'The report must serve as a stark warning against the introduction of variable university tuition fees. Market forces have no place in our higher education system as the widening gulf in bursary money has proven. We need a system where students that need the support can receive it, regardless of where or what they study.'
The report, Financial support in English universities: a national bursary scheme, will be available from www.hepi.ac.uk.
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