The future of UK universities

As the government cuts funding, some UK universities will not survive. Expect discounts and bargains. Gradual privatisation is inevitable.

1. With cuts in government support, UK universities can only be supported by their "customers", i.e. students.
2. From 2011, students have to pay £9,000 for their education. So there will be fewer students.
3. Universities have to charge £9,000 unless they are willing to label their degrees inferior to those who do.
4. Market force will determine whether a university survives or not.
5. In order to survive, universities that fail to recruit students will give "scholarships", i.e. discounts, to students.
6. In other words, the £9,000 is only the recommended retail price (RRP).
7. (Marketing strategies such as "buy one get second one half-price" might appear too.)
8. As the market shrinks, some universities will fold, inevitably.
9. When the fee of £9,000 is gradually accepted by the public, the government will be able to cut subsidies further.
10. When universities are no longer subsidised by the government, some will become attractive investments.
11. At a fee of £9,000, a university with 20,000 students will get a turnover of £180 million, which is not a small business.
12. Top universities could attract generous offers, due to their brand name.
13. Selling off universities would generate income to the government. So all politicians will like it.
14. Management of marketable universities will support privatisation too, as that would result in even higher salaries for them.

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