University of Wolverhampton could raise tuition fees

University bosses said they support the White Paper that will allow some universities to demand more in tuition fees from students.

The government White Paper says the higher the university is rated in terms of its quality of teaching, the more it can charge, in line with inflation.

But the new measures would also see universities forced to reduce charges if they are ranked badly.

Linking quality of teaching with the amount of money charged has been welcomed by the University of Wolverhampton, which has campuses across the West Midlands, including a large site in Telford.

Geoff Layer, vice-chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, said: "Fees have been at a fixed level for a number of years and costs are increasing along with student expectations. We will consider raising fees in line with inflation as and when we have the authority to do so.

"I'm pleased that the government's White Paper has choice for students at the heart of its higher education reform strategy.

"We welcome the increased focus on providing high quality courses which can be accessed by a wide range of people regardless of their background or social status. This complements the outcome of our recent QAA Higher Education Review which commended our approach to the enhancement of student learning opportunities."

The plans for a Higher Education and Research Bill were confirmed in the Queen's Speech this week when it was outlined that the proposals will make it easier to set up 'high quality' universities, drive institutions to improve the quality of teaching and ensure they are producing employable graduates and ensure universities deliver higher education that is value for money.

Any rise in fees will affect all university students in England, who already pay £9,000 a year.

Universities will also be required to release information about the amount of time students spend in lectures, the jobs they get once they graduate, and their average earnings.

The Department for Business, Industry and Skills, which published the White Paper, entitled 'Success as a Knowledge Economy', estimates the increases will be worth £1 billion a year to the higher education sector for the first 10 years.

The White Paper also aims at encouraging a wider range of new higher education institutions, by speeding up the process allowing them to award their own degrees.This could therefore include allowing more private institutions to be given university status.

There have been further suggestions that it should be made easier for students to switch courses and universities. A new watchdog may also be created, the 'Office for Students', to represent the consumer rights of students.