Definition Of Undergraduate

Varsity PLC

The forthcoming White Paper for higher education looks set to be the turning point for the growth of private institutions offering undergraduate degrees in England.

Even before AC Grayling unveiled his controversial plans for the private, £18,000-a-year, New College of the Humanities, Universities Minister, David Willetts, had said he was looking forward to "new liberal arts colleges", specialist institutions and "global higher education providers" entering the UK system.

But what exactly is meant by a "private" university?

Perhaps the simplest definition is an institution without public funding, unlike traditional universities that receive government grants for both teaching and research.

Yet the dramatic shift from teaching grants to tuition fee income at mainstream universities means the difference between public and private is narrowing fast.

The cut in teaching grants goes a long way towards creating a level playing-field for private universities, which rely almost entirely on fee income.

But who are these private providers?

Some operators are in it for profit. These are mainly big US companies that have either bought their way into the UK market or are working in partnership with public universities. But others are charities or not for profit.

Currently there are five private providers that have their own UK degree-awarding powers - Buckingham University, the College of Law, IFS School of Finance, Ashridge Business School and BPP University College.

Last year, BPP University College became the first for-profit provider to be granted university college status in the UK.

It is owned by a US-based company, the Apollo Group, which paid £368m for it in 2009.

BPP is looking to expand in the UK and has confirmed it is holding talks with at least three public universities to run their business operations.

But there are many more private providers that offer non-UK degrees. These include up to 70 overseas universities with UK bases. They are mainly American universities, catering for US nationals on study-abroad programmes.

However, some recruit UK students and, from 2012, their fees will be much more in line with the £9,000 to be charged by most English universities.

Richmond American International University, for example, charges £9,500 for UK undergraduates for degrees validated by both the US system and the Open University.

Q&A: What is the definition of an undergraduate major? » Answer ...

It is money for school one is given to pay for the total cost. This does not have to be paid back like a grant, but this is better ’cause it cover just about everything for your entire collegiate career. (entire time your in school). It also depends on the source it is coming from the (institution or business or whatever) may indicate how much they are giving, when and terms that you must abide by to keep this money.

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