Các trường đại học hàng đầu có khả năng tăng học phí mức tối đa

Hai trong số các đại học hàng đầu của Anh dự kiến sẽ tăng học phí đến mức tối đa cho phép của luật pháp mới. Cả Oxford và Cambridge cho biết, tính phí tối đa cho mọi đối tượng từ năm 2012 là cách duy nhất của việc duy trì học tập xuất sắc.

The cost of a top education in England looks set to soar. The British government chose to allow universities to increase tuition fees to $9,500 a year, to secure the future of higher education as public finances are cut. Ministers said the costs could rise to around $14,500 in exceptional circumstances.

Surprisingly, two of England's most prestigious universities, Oxford and Cambridge, have already signalled they will charge this top rate. An internal Cambridge review said it'll be for all courses, with discounts of up to $5,000 for poorer students. The deputy head of Oxford University said it'll be charging the maximum for all subjects, to make up for budget cuts and to be able to subsidise the less well-off.

Opposing the increases, some students said talented young people could still be turned off applying, to avoid being overwhelmed by debt. They fear social elitism will replace academic excellence.

set to soar

in a position or likely to increase significantly

to secure

to protect

higher education

universities and colleges

exceptional circumstances

rare or unusual situations

prestigious

highly thought of, respected and valued

signalled

have indicated that

subsidise

pay money for the benefit of

less well-off

poorer people, who have less money than most

turned off

discouraged

social elitism

categorising people based on their social class or wealth