Teenagers from the wealthiest families would be able to pay for extra places at the most competitive universities under government proposals that could allow institutions to charge some British students the same high fees as overseas undergraduates.

Candidates who take up the extra places would not be eligible for publicly funded loans to pay tuition fees or living costs, limiting this option to all but the most privileged households who could pay fees up front.

Under the plans, the extra students may be charged as much as international undergraduates. At the most competitive universities, these students face fees ranging from £12,000 a year for arts subjects to £18,000 for sciences and more than £28,000 for medicine. Applicants would be required to meet the course entry requirements.

If they were good enough to get into the top universities, they should be able to get in through the normal process anyway!

Applicants would be required to meet the course entry requirements.

Prof 1: "If we let all the rich kids in the normal way, we won't get any extra cash as poor kids can't afford it"
Prof 2: Let's fix it so poor kids get all the normal places, then we can milk the rich kids.

Think this is yet another idea they're knocking on the head. What is it with them? Since they came to power they've had countless 'ideas' that they've wasted time and money working on that have been fundamentally sh!t but they don't see it until much later on.

Think this is yet another idea they're knocking on the head. What is it with them? Since they came to power they've had countless 'ideas' that they've wasted time and money working on that have been fundamentally sh!t but they don't see it until much later on.

I despair, I really do.

Actually I think it could be good idea. Those who are able to afford it can "Buy" an additional place. Leaving places for those that are "socially excluded" (thus meeting government guidelines on accessibility) and those who fall in the middle.

Actually I think it could be good idea. Those who are able to afford it can "Buy" an additional place. Leaving places for those that are "socially excluded" (thus meeting government guidelines on accessibility) and those who fall in the middle. The Uni gets a load of extra money and they dont get penalised for having more students then they are allowed.

By pushing that model, your actually saying "Those who are able to afford it will have to "Buy" an additional place.
It's just even more huge fees by another name.

Candidates who take up the extra places would not be eligible for publicly funded loans to pay tuition fees or living costs

Applicants would be required to meet the course entry requirements.

No places lost for those who cant afford to "buy" a place.

How would that work in practice? What happens when you only have enough teaching staff for a set number? Do you include a "socially excluded" student, someone who can pay for a place or increase lecture sizes to the point of uselessness?

How, in practice and reality?