Going private

Buckingham University's decision to expand is a bold move, testament to the vision of its vice-chancellor, Dr Terence Kealey. As Britain's only independent university, Buckingham should be in a good position to capitalise on the freeing up of the higher education marketplace that will accompany top-up fees.

Buckingham University's decision to expand is a bold move, testament to the vision of its vice-chancellor, Dr Terence Kealey. As Britain's only independent university, Buckingham should be in a good position to capitalise on the freeing up of the higher education marketplace that will accompany top-up fees. If Buckingham is able to grow, to start a medical school and to come into the mainstream, it could encourage other universities to think big and to lever in more funding from private sources. Government support is essential. But a university is stronger, not weaker, through the building up of endowments and tapping as many other avenues of support as possible.