Readers' reactions

Last month in The THES...... Kenneth Baker argued that universities must be allowed to charge some students more than others.

The evidence is already gathering of the effect of the introduction of the Pounds 1,000 tuition fee. Enrolled students having to grapple with part-time jobs to cover their debts are being distracted from academic study and mature students are deterred from entering university.

Society requires a mass, as opposed to an elite, higher education system.

Tuition fees must go and grants must be restored. Charging varying fees will serve only to re-introduce an elite system.

Andrew Brown, Graduate officer, University of Wales Swansea (writing in a personal capacity).