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AIBU?

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Original poster

UK universities in trouble - why not add VAT to tuition?

579 replies

80smonster · 09/08/2024 19:03

UK universities are in trouble, apparently many could close, why not charge VAT on tuition fees (for those that are financially viable)? Bridget Phillipson says they are autonomous institutions and won’t be given a public bail out - they should rely on their own resources:
https://www.theguardian.com/education/article/2024/aug/09/english-universities-face-autumn-tipping-point-as-financial-crisis-looms

YABU - don’t add the VAT
YANBU - add the VAT

English universities face autumn ‘tipping point’ as financial crisis looms

Vice-chancellors fear weaker institutions need bailout to avert failure due to fewer students and higher costs

https://www.theguardian.com/education/article/2024/aug/09/english-universities-face-autumn-tipping-point-as-financial-crisis-looms

OP posts:
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13
newmummycwharf1 · 12/08/2024 22:05

University degrees are being systematically de-valued - makes sense since many people have one these days. So you have more students doing a Masters to set themselves apart and you have basic jobs that do not require a degree - insisting on one.

And now you have universities in crisis letting people who don't make the cut in....https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/11/universities-set-open-doors-students-failing-a-level-grades/

A re-evaluation of the whole system is needed

Universities set to open doors to students failing to make A-level grades

Vice-chancellors under pressure to fill places amid fall in demand from international students

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/11/universities-set-open-doors-students-failing-a-level-grades

ElaineMBenes · 12/08/2024 22:13

I don't work in HE nor do I do research for Universities.
No shit!
I have worked in HE for 20 years. 9 of those in admissions. My PhD was focused university choice and the factors that influence young people's HE decisions.

Other people on this thread are known to be HE experts.

What makes you think we are wrong?

You can stick your head in the sand if you prefer but I think things are definitely changing in the sector, I'm afraid.

I'm not sticking my head in the sand. Things do need to change, I want things to change.

Just because I'm saying you are wrong doesn't mean I think things are working.
You can't post completely unsubstantiated claims (which happen to be incorrect) and not expect to be challenged.

Uncool · 13/08/2024 07:13

AngelusBell · 12/08/2024 08:03

I’m not sure my daughter would have got a place at Oxbridge and a subsequent First without 12 GCSEs at A ⭐️ and A grades and 4 ‘A’ levels at A ⭐️ and A grades, but the point I was making is that it isn’t only independent schools offering more than 8/9 GCSEs. Nor should it be.

Edited
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She would. My child is there and got A stars in ten GCSEs. She would probably have got in with nine. You do not need twelve for Oxbridge.

Uncool · 13/08/2024 07:55

wombat15 · 12/08/2024 16:03

Who are you suggesting "closely evaluate degree" and decides on their worth? Ultimately universities will keep open courses that make money and close ones which don't. That depends on whether students rather than society in general want to do the course and also the costs of running the course which is very variable. Yes, businesses sometime merge to save money and maybe some universities will too but that is up to them and isn't necessarily what society thinks is best

And I certainly haven't said that those not working in the sector have "no right to comment" so stop ranting about being "shut down". You sound ridiculous.

Show quote history

That poster is weirdly defensive about some aspects of university discussions. It is strange and doesn’t help with reasoned debate at all. The irony is, she/he doesn’t want any discussion about the uni her kids attended (Bristol) and tries to shut down any negative comments on that institution!

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