'Four for price of three' degree

Postgraduates will still have to pay up-front fees of up to £3,000

A London University college is to offer students four years' tuition fees for the price of three - as an incentive for students worried about debt.

After the government's narrow victory in the tuition fees battle, Royal Holloway has announced bursaries to support postgraduate students.

This "3 + 1" scheme will offer students a bursary worth up to £3,010 if they stay on for a fourth year.

The college is concerned that debt might deter postgraduate students.

'Marketisation'

In the House of Commons debate over the introduction of variable tuition fees, there were warnings that this would introduce "marketisation" into higher education.

But this "buy three get one free" approach might be seen as an early glimpse of supermarket-isation in the university sector.

Under the government's proposals, universities will be allowed to charge students up to £3,000 per year - and for the first time, universities will be able to set their own rates for individual courses.

This has raised the prospect of difficult-to-fill courses being made more attractive by lower fees - or in this case, a financial deal which helps students stay on for an extra year.

While the tuition fees package will scrap up-front fees for undergraduates, for many postgraduates the charge of up to £3,000 per year will have to be paid before starting the course.

For students who have borrowed their way through three years of an undergraduate degree, an up-front charge of £3,000 could be a barrier to a postgraduate year - and the Royal Holloway, University of London, initiative is aimed at offering free places for "the most able students" who want to stay on.

These awards will be available to Royal Holloway students who have been awarded a 2:1 or above.

'Burden of debt'

"We recognise the burden of debt that students will have at their time of graduation, and are therefore considering deferred scholarships to allow our most able students to take a one-year taught course to further their studies and employment prospects," said college principal, Stephen Hill.

"We believe it is important to address the problems that undergraduate debt will create for postgraduate education at the end of the decade."

The college is also considering ways to tackle the financial difficulties of students from middle-income families who miss out on the government support for poorer student, but who still face hardship.

"Students from the lowest income families may be adequately supported by the combination of fee waivers, grants and bursaries if the Bill goes through", said Professor Hill.

"But we are strongly aware that students in the next lowest income bracket could end up struggling. These are by no means rich students, because the cut-off is so low."