Higher education embraces private suppliers – Timidly

The first batch of 60 undergraduates at the New College of the Humanities in Bloomsbury, London’s main university quarter, occupy a spacious Georgian house. The college’s founder is Anthony Grayling, a philosopher who wants to introduce a bit of diversity to a largely state-funded higher education system. This kind of disruptive innovation earns a mixed reception, reports The Economist.

The college epitomises a broadening of higher education, aided by a rise in maximum fees to £9,000 (US$14,194) that makes students (and their parents) look around for value for money. The government has also eased rules on what qualifies as a university. The newly named University of Law, an outfit with several regional centres, is backed by a private-equity firm and offers two-year degree courses for highly motivated or cash-strapped students. Its hard sell stands out among more conventional university branding: the college’s website touts a graduate legal qualification as if it were a soap powder – “Now with masters included”.

And the line between private and state-funded higher education is blurring in other ways. Established institutions including Imperial College, London, and University College are also thriving businesses, which cross-subsidise studies and research that do not make money. Oxford has initiated a joint masters course in law and finance, crammed into nine months and costing a hefty £21,000.
Full report on The Economist site