The Main Issues

1. Despite nationally over 90% of young people being educated at state schools, they make up under half of Cambridge students. Many, many very able pupils at these schools do not apply because they see Cambridge as elitist and geared to the wealthy.
2. Making the University one of the most expensive in the country will deter applicants from low and middle income families. Cambridge will become even more elitist.
3. This is not an argument simply about numbers. Neither King's nor the University Bursars have agreed to the principle that Cambridge should try and keep student costs competitive with other universities so as to attract the best from all backgrounds not merely the affluent.
4. Fixing College rents at Cambridge 'market levels' is nonsensical because:
   • The Colleges control much of the market anyway.
   • Private accommodation includes an element of profit, students would thus be subsidising Colleges if this level were adopted.
   • College, unlike much of the private sector, can benefit from large economies of scale and certainty of demand.
   • Cambridge has a severe housing shortage with demand vastly outstripping supply. Housing prices throughout the City are heavily inflated.
5. It is not enough to charge very high rents, but in addition have generous hardship funds because:
   • No applicant can be sure of getting money from such a fund, nor of how much. They can be certain, however, that they will have to pay rent.
   • There is a vast swathe of applicants that come from middle income families who would not be eligible for such funds. They would save a lot of money by simply going elsewhere.
   • Many potential students find the idea of having to constantly rely on Colleges to give them extra money demeaning.
   • In implying that you need lots of money to go to Cambridge, but if you are poor can be given special treatment the University is suggesting that the 'normal' student should come from an affluent background.
   • Very high student charges will confirm many people's suspicion that Cambridge is a place for wealthy people and that they would not 'fit in'.
6. Going to Cambridge is a privilege that can only be justified if it goes to the most able students from all backgrounds and across the country. The rent hike will make this aim impossible.

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