University food shopping

The workshop had a great end, fab work leading onto some really interesting thoughts on how the new fee process might affect the future of higher education. One of the key points is that universities are able to charge what they like as long as it doesn't exceed £9,000. Oxbridge understandably will be charging £9,000. Best education requires the highest price.

What the other universities do from here is very interesting however. Now there will be a situation of universities having to market themselves to certain demographics. The best way to represent this is using supermarkets. M&S and Waitrose delivering the best products, in the nicest place, but at premium prices, with Tesco battling Sainsbury's, Lidl battling Asda and so on an so forth.

Could this be the beginning of the 'bargain university,' positioning itself as the place where every little helps, lots of choice and 2 for 1 offers on lectures or/and beer at the union. Alternatively it might choose 'your UCL' where the premium prices really do guarantee quality education. You could be someone that genuinely wants a quality education but can only afford to shop at Iceland.

In a country where university is frowned upon for joke subjects and boozy students, the rise in tuition fees might not restore respect in education (thanks Zata for that one), but make it one huge fucking gamble instead.