Nick Hillman, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, said:
‘Phew!
’The spending review could have been worse for universities and students than it has turned out to be. The improvements to postgraduate loans, the new support for part-time students and the protection of research spending are all welcome and better than many people feared. So too are the new support for second-degree students, the easing of the restrictions on the dependants of international postgraduate students and the boost for a new university in Hereford.
‘The Chancellor has worked hard to build a reputation as the first Chancellor for Science, so it is good he did not put that at risk today by slashing spending on students or research. However, the years ahead will still be difficult, particularly as maintenance grants are due to be replaced by even bigger student loans for the poorest students. It is also likely that the big cuts to the Business Department will end up hitting higher education institutions one way or another.’
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