A larger number of businesses will pay students’ university tuition fees under higher education sector reforms, it has been claimed.
Under changes to the way student fees are charged, many students will face charges of £9,000 a year for a university education.
But professor Michael Arthur, vice chancellor of Leeds University believes that, by making universities more reliant on the fee income from students, rather than government funding, they will seek greater involvement from the private sector.
He predicts that institutions will develop shorter courses and more bespoke qualifications designed for the private sector.
Many firms have already begun sponsoring courses, with KPMG recently announcing it is set to meet the costs of 75 students sitting an accountancy qualification at Durham University.
“I think you will see more partnerships like the one established between KPMG and Durham and more shorter courses,” Professor Arthur told the Yorkshire Post.
Leeds is one of four universities in the Yorkshire region to charge the maximum £9,000 in fees.