NUS made the calls in response to a report by the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) on the bursary payouts made by universities in 2007/2008.
The OFFA report noted that even though all institutions charge the same in fees, some are profiting more than others from students’ money. Two thirds of Russell Group institutions are giving out less bursary money as a percentage of their additional income than last year, compared to two thirds of Million+ universities, which are giving out more money.
Money not spent
It also noted that, in 2006-7, universities budgeted to spend 25 per cent of their additional fee income on bursaries for poorer students, but only managed to spend 21 per cent. This year, they predicted 22.6 per cent, and only managed to spend 21.8 per cent. Universities have hardly got better at giving out money to students – just better at predicting their low performance.
Unfair
“These figures show just how unfair the current system is. The average bursary paid out for poorer students in Million+ universities was just £779, compared to £1,340 for students in Russell Group universities," said NUS President Wes Streeting.
“Financial support should be based on how much a student needs it, not where they happen to be studying. We need a national bursary scheme, so that we can make sure that all of this money makes a real difference for poorer students. We completely reject Sir Martin Harris’ inappropriate and unfounded assertion that individual institutions should continue to decide levels of financial support.
“It should also be pointed out that, although Russell Group institutions can afford to pay more in each individual bursary payout, these figures are no excuse for them to crow about improving access for poorer students. Two thirds of Russell Group institutions are giving out less bursary money as a percentage of their additional income than last year, compared to two thirds of Million+ universities which are actually giving out more money.”