It was pointed out that graduate tax idea is due to the press and not something leaked by the committee. A member of the audience said that first degrees and postgraduate degrees should be not separate. Students shouldn t have to go further into debt to do a masters or doctorate. A medical student said that debts can deter people who would become really good doctors from finishing the course. A parent said that the majority of students in further education are working class.
Students see further education as a progression into higher education.
One has a system of bursaries and the other requires payment of fees and the loan system. Those planning to progress into higher education find fees and loans a barrier. The responsibility of access funding is given to the colleges. There are many students in need and often those that need do not know about, or feel unable to apply for, access funding. A high school student said that school leavers have no enthusiasm for higher education.