“British Universities are a major success story – and they need paying for.”

The vice-chancellor of the University of Worcester David Green has responded to Prime Minister’s Theresa May's much heralded speech on University fees.

The PM said yesterday afternoon that she is launching a review into how we fund higher education, acknowledging that allowing universities to charge variable fees up to £9,250 has resulted in “the most one of the most expensive systems... in the world.”

She said that it was unfair to expect people who don’t benefit from higher education to subsidise though who do, but that having both students and the taxpayer contribute to funding was an important principle. She also said that we need to consider alternative forms of education and training instead of assuming everyone will benefit from an academic degree course.

Professor Green, who was vocally opposed to the raising of the fees in 2011 said: “In the last year before the increased fees were allowed, 67 per cent of university funding came from government grants and con5treacts, including contracts with the NHS.

“Now, that figure is six per cent, it’s a 90 per cent cut.”

Professor Green said that when the variable fees were introduced Worcester charged £8,100 for undergraduate tuition and that over the last seven years, that has risen to £9,250 per year, the maximum allowed.”

He added: “I think it’s important that funding comes from the students themselves, business, and society as a whole. Graduates are more likely to be in work, they pay more in tax and they are less likely to commit a crime.

“We train the nurses and midwives who work at Worcestershire Royal, we train teachers who help educate our children, and at the University of Worcester 97 per cent of our students come from state schools, and we are in the top 10 in the country for long-term employment rates over five years, so we are a major engine for social mobility.

“Britain has some of the best universities and the best university system in the world. If we don’t get funding from the Student Loans Company it will need to be replaced by something.”

Jade Haley, president of the students’ Union at the University of Worcester said: “Our overriding concern will always be fair access to higher education.

“I agree with the notion of breaking down old-fashioned attitudes towards technical qualifications and think this should be welcomed, as the country clearly needs people with practical as well as academic skills.

“What we can’t have, however, is a system that reduces the number of people from low-income backgrounds going to university, whatever course they choose.”