Statement on top-up fees

The University of Cambridge, at present, has no plans to introduce top-up fees.

It is very clear that we are at a turning point in higher education and the government faces some difficult decisions ensuring that universities are adequately funded. Whether top up fees are part of the government's proposals is a matter for discussion by universities as a whole, since no UK institution will be able to act in isolation.

The current under-funding in the UK higher education sector has produced a lack of academic resources and low morale. Recruiting and retaining staff is increasingly difficult. For leading institutions, such as Cambridge, to continue to offer world class teaching and research, substantial additional resources are essential. Without these resources Cambridge will not be able to maintain the high standards that current students enjoy.

The government is clearly thinking about charging students higher fees. But what is clear is that world-class universities only remain world-class if they can attract the best students. Cambridge is totally committed to attracting the best students irrespective of their background and to a simple, adequate and transparent system of student support.

Student debt levels have risen in recent years and any further increase associated with an increase in up front costs for students could damage the advances made in broadening participation. This could be damaging at a time when high levels of skills and qualifications are increasingly necessary for society and the economy.

Any system of funding should facilitate bringing additional resources into universities without harming efforts to widen participation. That is the challenge.

Philanthropic support, particularly from alumni, is one of the ways Cambridge has successfully achieved that balance. Cambridge already provides significant levels of support to those students who need it.

The University greatly values the help of alumni in meeting the challenges it faces.

To withdraw alumni support would simply exacerbate the financial pressures on the University and the Colleges, making it more difficult for Cambridge to maintain its position as a world leader open to all on merit, and will damage the opportunities available to students from all backgrounds in the future.