WALES: Lower-fee universities may get more students

Universities in Wales that are prepared to lower their tuition fees could be allowed to bid for extra students under proposals being considered by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, writes Gareth Evans for Western Mail.

The system, which is being introduced in England, would see the 'core' number of university places cut and the 'margin' reallocated to universities with an average fee of less than £7,500 (US$12,000). The system has become known as 'core and margin'.

The funding council said finer details had yet to be determined but universities that charged below a certain level could benefit. It is currently modelling with an average fee rate of about £7,500 - considerably lower than the £9,000 preferred by the majority of Welsh institutions.
Full report on the Wales Online site