Cost of subject review

The Pounds 75,000 estimate for a single subject review (News, THES, July 21) is surely inaccurate. The real cost of a visit is much greater. For example, one carefully monitored single-subject visit in the current round occupied two members of academic staff for a year.

Typical additional costs will include the following: Quality Assurance Agency workshops, other preparatory meetings; non-academic staff time and associated on-costs; staff absence and other "wear and tear" on the personal psychologies of all those involved; etc.

Trevor Habeshaw

Bristol