Everyone is expecting the cap on university fees to be lifted - but by how much? Recent reports in the media claimed the Browne review of university funding was considering allowing fees to be raised by £1000 a year for five years - which would mean students at Oxford and Cambridge could end up paying around £7000 a year.
The Browne review is not due to make its final report until the autumn. But according to a recent Independent article the Russell Group of leading UK universities has announced its members would consider radical steps such as going private if there was no way to increase cash for the universities. This came in the wake of the coalition government's announcement of a further £200 million cuts to higher education.
There is a possibility that Labour MPs might band with Lib Dem rebels to vote down proposals to raise tuition fees.
The Russell Group is clear that the fees cap would need to be lifted in order for universities to maintain standards in the face of such cutbacks. Director General of the group, Dr Wendy Piatt said, 'Without clear means of increasing their income, meeting these challenges begins to look like an impossible task. There is now a real risk that we could lose academics who have been responsible for discoveries that have changed the lives of millions of people for the better or tutors who have inspired generations of students and turned them into outstanding doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs.'
More on this story from the Independent website, and advice and information on all aspects of student finance on the Complete University Guide's money pages 
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