LONDON — Oxford University must be allowed to hike tuition fees if it is to compete with its American counterparts, the institution’s chancellor said.
Chris Patten told an educators conference it was “intolerable” that the government barred Oxford and other universities from charging students more than about $5,300 a year for their schooling. He noted top British private primary and secondary schools charge much more.
Harvard’s tuition is $32,557 for the current academic year, the university’s website says. The average annual tuition at a four-year American private college was $23,712 last year, according to the College Board.
Patten said the extra fees translate into extra resources for U.S. rivals, leading to a disparity in spending that is weakening the standing of British universities.
