Tory students burn Barack Obama effigy

Authorities at St Andrews University - where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge studied and first met - said they were looking into reports of the incident on Friday evening on the town's East Sands beach.

Matthew Marshall, president of the St Andrews Conservative Association, told the BBC: "President Obama is an important ally to the British Government. It was a stupid thing to do and we apologise for any offence caused."

John Park, Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, whose constituency includes the university said: "This is gravely offensive and way beyond a student prank."

He urged David Cameron and the Conservative Party to take action against the activists responsible.

"Burning an effigy of anyone is offensive, let alone the first black President of the United States. The overtones are deeply unpleasant."

James Mills, a former chairman of the university's Labour society, said it was "disgraceful".

He said: "I can't imagine any other student activists of a major political party would behave in this manner.

"It's disgusting and I hope the Conservative Party and the Prime Minister completely come out and condemn this obscene act."

The BBC reported that the same society had burned effigies of Gordon Brown and Nelson Mandela in the past.

A spokesman for the University of St Andrews said: "We are aware of reports of this incident and have asked to meet the society president to discuss the very understandable concerns which these reports have raised.

"Until that meeting has taken place, it would be inappropriate to make further comment."

St Andrews Students' Union said those who took part in the effigy burning "don't represent St Andrews students".

A statement from the Student Representative Council said: "As students we believe in political debate, with engaging those who disagree with us and that all students at St Andrews have a valid opinion to contribute.

"While it does not violate any laws, we believe that the burning of political or public figures in effigy can be an act of hate, stifles productive engagement and can be offensive.

"We believe that St Andrews students should hold ourselves to a higher standard and actively demonstrate that we are ready to engage with and respect the opinions of others."

Sam Fowles, director of representation at the union, said: "I do not believe this was a racist act but I don't believe that makes it any less disgusting. Student representatives have shown that the vast majority of St Andrews students are much better than this sort of puerile and offensive behaviour."

Universities see 20,000 fewer applications as tuition fees put off students

With fees set to treble to a maximum of ￡9,000 in 2012, applications from UK students alone are down by 15.1 per cent, according to statistics published by Ucas.

But while fewer UK students are applying to university, the number of applicants from overseas, outside of the EU, has risen by 11.8 per cent, the data shows.

In total, 23,427 fewer people have applied to start degree courses at UK universities next autumn than at the same point last year.

Ucas insisted that it was too early to make predictions about the demand for higher education next year.

Would-be students have until January 15 to apply for courses beginning next autumn.

Today's figures show that 133,357 UK applicants have applied so far, a drop of 23,759 compared to the same point last year.

Applications from other EU students are down 13.1 per cent to 9,034.

The figures also show that the largest fall is among Scottish applicants.

Applications from Scottish students are down 17.1 per cent, English students 15.2 per cent, Welsh students 10.3 per cent and Northern Irish students 16.9 per cent.

The statistics also show that 13,665 fewer women have applied so far this year, compared to 9,762 fewer men.

Ucas chief executive Mary Curnock Cook said: "Recent changes in high education funding mean that application patterns this year may be different to previous years and we are gearing up for a possible late surge close to the January 15 deadline where applicants have taken more time to research their applications.

"We expect some depression of demand due to a decline in the young population but it is much too early to predict any effects from changes in tuition fees."

Dr Wendy Piatt, director general of the Russell Group of leading universities, said: "It would be no real surprise if overall applications through Ucas are somewhat lower for 2012 entry than for 2011, but we shouldn't rush to assume that this is due to higher fees.

"For one thing, demographic change means there will be fewer 18-year-olds leaving school or college in 2012 than in 2011.

"We also know that in 2011 there was a drop in numbers opting for a 'gap year', meaning more applications in 2011, and fewer applications for 2012 entry. Current 2012 figures are actually very similar to figures at the same point in 2010.

"The decrease in the number of Scottish applicants to Scottish universities, where there are no fees, also shows that decrease in England cannot simply be explained by the new fees and funding system."

Professor Les Ebdon, chair of think-tank million+ and vice-chancellor of Bedfordshire University, said: "Universities are working hard to ensure that students understand that studying for the degree you need to get the job you want remains one of the best career moves that you can make, especially in uncertain economic times.

"One in four first time undergraduates is a mature student. Many study later because they realise that they have missed out on the life-changing employment and learning opportunities that studying for a degree offers. No-one should lose the chance to be what they might have been.

"Ministers need to up their game and should launch a campaign in the new year to ensure that older students understand the new loan system and the opportunities available."

Tory students to send letter of apology to Barack Obama over effigy burning

Matthew Marshall, president of St Andrews Conservative and Unionist Association, said the incident on Friday evening on the town's East Sands beach was "undoubtedly stupid" and "deeply regretted".

Authorities at the university - where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge studied and first met - investigated but ruled that the action was not "intentionally racist".

Mr Marshall was summoned and made aware of the university's "very serious concerns". He said the society would write to Mr Obama to apologise.

Mr Marshall said: "The US and President Obama are important allies of the United Kingdom and, on behalf of the whole association, I apologise unreservedly.

"This is undoubtedly a stupid act and it is deeply regretted by all of us in the St Andrews Conservative Association. I will make sure this never happens again.

"I apologise further for any damage this has done to the reputation of the University of St Andrews, or the Scottish Conservative Party."

A university spokesman said: "We are satisfied that, while the actions of the St Andrews Conservative Association in burning an effigy of President Obama were naive and crassly insensitive, they were not intentionally racist.

"This incident, however, has caused very understandable offence and concern to many people, and the university deeply regrets this.

"The University of St Andrews holds a firm belief in the value of political debate and free expression but we expect our students to always treat others with respect.

"The burning of any figure in effigy is an act of violence and intolerance and has no place in our modern, international university.

"We have met the president of the Conservative Association to make him aware of the university's very serious concerns and he has been quick to make an unreserved public apology, and it is correct that he has done so.

"We welcome his assurance that this practice will not be repeated."

John Park, Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, whose constituency includes the university said: "This is gravely offensive and way beyond a student prank."

He urged David Cameron and the Conservative Party to take action against the activists responsible.

"Burning an effigy of anyone is offensive, let alone the first black President of the United States. The overtones are deeply unpleasant."

Universities to pay cash incentives to attract students

At City University London, scholarships of ￡3,000 will be paid to AAB plus students in each year of a three or four year degree, subject to them passing their university exams. ?Photo: ALAMY

Institutions across the country, including City University London, and Leicester, Surrey and Northumbria universities, are introducing payments to attract candidates with the best exam grades.

The non-means tested academic rewards are in response to new Government rules which allow universities to take unlimited numbers of sixth formers gaining at least two As and a B at A-level - known as AAB+ students.

With the new freedom to recruit more high-achieving students, less prestigious institutions fear that good quality applicants will increasingly be poached by higher ranking universities.

In the first signs of a "scholarship arms race", universities are now vying to give the best deals to 2012 students, the first to face tuition fees of up to ￡9,000 a year.

At City University London, scholarships of ￡3,000 will be paid to AAB plus students in each year of a three or four year degree, subject to them passing their university exams.

Surrey University is offering ￡2,000 to candidates who achieve three A grades who select the university as their firm choice, while Northumbria is offering ￡1,000 a year to AAB+ students.

Leicester, which is ranked in the top 20 of UK institutions, is offering ￡2,000 awards each year over three years for students gaining three A grades.

Departmental scholarships of ￡1,250, paid towards tuition fees, will also be given to students who meet specific course requirements.

Universities with the highest proportion of students with at least AAB at A-level include Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, London School of Economics, Durham, Bristol, University College London, Warwick, Exeter and Bath.

Many in the list also have the lowest proportions of pupils from state schools and deprived backgrounds.

But institutions in the "squeezed middle" of the league tables are most likely to feel forced to compete financially for students, according to the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi).

"They are vulnerable to losing some of their AAB+ students to more selective, more prestigious, institutions," said Bahram Bekhradnia, Hepi director.

"At the same time they are competing with their peers to hold onto their existing and to recruit additional AAB+ students.

"This is likely to give rise to an arms race of 'merit-based' scholarships – if one university offers them others will be obliged to do so."

Critics of the AAB policy said universities were "fighting over" applicants by offering cash incentives to students who already tended to be from more advantaged backgrounds.

Claire Callender, professor of higher education policy at Birkbeck College, London, said: "All the research from the US which has a long history of scholarships which are purely merit-based shows that they are to the advantage of middle and upper class white students who are the ones who predominantly achieve the necessary test scores."

A spokesman for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, said: "Our reforms free up places at the institutions where students wish to study.

"We have made sure that under new access rules, more support is going to people from disadvantaged backgrounds and they are treated fairly.

"Beyond this, universities are free to use their own resources in any way they choose in order to attract new students."

Students 'could be put off university' by confusion over fees, warns Martin Lewis

Confusion over the system of tuition fees in 2012 could be putting students off university, warns Martin Lewis.?Photo: REX FEATURES

Martin Lewis, the consumer expert, said students were “ill-equipped and uneducated” about how the new system would work next year.

From 2012, English universities will be able to charge up to ￡9,000 a year – almost three times the current amount.

Graduates will pay back loans when they earn ￡21,000 and make smaller monthly repayments than at present. Debts will also take much longer to clear but will be written off after 30 years.

Mr Lewis, who has been named the new head of the Independent Taskforce on Student Finance Information, said he was “no fan of the changes”.

But he insisted that the myths surrounding the practical finances of the system “may well end up more damaging to prospective students’ aspirations than the new fees themselves”.

It came as a poll of almost 2,000 adults, published by the taskforce today, found almost six-in-10 had little or no understanding of how the new fees system would work.

More than a quarter – 26 per cent – wrongly thought that students would have to pay their fees upfront and more than half said the system would make going to university less attractive.

The disclosure comes despite the fact that applications have already closed for some courses – including those to Oxbridge – and most students are expected to apply by January.

It also comes amid continuing uncertainty over fee levels at some universities.

Some 27 un-named institutions are yet to confirm their final average fees after submitting revised plans to the Government’s Office for Fair Access, it was confirmed this week.

Mr Lewis, head of Money Saving Expert, said: "The communication of tuition fees by all parties over the last few years is a national scandal.

"They've left us as a nation ill-equipped and uneducated about how this crucial and very different form of finance works.

"We need to start a war on this ignorance. After all, if students don't understand the true cost, how can they decide if it's worth it."

Students 'could be put off university' by confusion over fees, warns Martin Lewis

Confusion over the system of tuition fees in 2012 could be putting students off university, warns Martin Lewis.?Photo: REX FEATURES

Martin Lewis, the consumer expert, said students were “ill-equipped and uneducated” about how the new system would work next year.

From 2012, English universities will be able to charge up to ￡9,000 a year – almost three times the current amount.

Graduates will pay back loans when they earn ￡21,000 and make smaller monthly repayments than at present. Debts will also take much longer to clear but will be written off after 30 years.

Mr Lewis, who has been named the new head of the Independent Taskforce on Student Finance Information, said he was “no fan of the changes”.

But he insisted that the myths surrounding the practical finances of the system “may well end up more damaging to prospective students’ aspirations than the new fees themselves”.

It came as a poll of almost 2,000 adults, published by the taskforce today, found almost six-in-10 had little or no understanding of how the new fees system would work.

More than a quarter – 26 per cent – wrongly thought that students would have to pay their fees upfront and more than half said the system would make going to university less attractive.

The disclosure comes despite the fact that applications have already closed for some courses – including those to Oxbridge – and most students are expected to apply by January.

It also comes amid continuing uncertainty over fee levels at some universities.

Some 27 un-named institutions are yet to confirm their final average fees after submitting revised plans to the Government’s Office for Fair Access, it was confirmed this week.

Mr Lewis, head of Money Saving Expert, said: "The communication of tuition fees by all parties over the last few years is a national scandal.

"They've left us as a nation ill-equipped and uneducated about how this crucial and very different form of finance works.

"We need to start a war on this ignorance. After all, if students don't understand the true cost, how can they decide if it's worth it."

Universities with the richest students (or parents)

Of the UK's top 20 universities, Prince William's alma mater St Andrews hosts the highest proportion of financially independent students. Among last year's 1,625 first year entrants, 58 per cent lived and studied without the need for a student loan.

The loans referred to in this gallery are student maintenance loans and do not include tuition fee loans. The results exclude EU students.

Universities with the richest students (or parents)

Of the UK's top 20 universities, Prince William's alma mater St Andrews hosts the highest proportion of financially independent students. Among last year's 1,625 first year entrants, 58 per cent lived and studied without the need for a student loan.

The loans referred to in this gallery are student maintenance loans and do not include tuition fee loans. The results exclude EU students.

Students face wait to apply to university

Ucas warns that significant reforms are needed because the current system is “complex, lacks transparency for many applicants and is inefficient and cumbersome".?Photo: GETTY IMAGES

In a report published today , the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) proposes scrapping the current system in which students apply for courses based on predicted grades.

Under reforms that could be introduced in 2016, teenagers will sit exams as early as Easter and A-level results will be published at the start of July, instead of mid-August.

Applications would also be limited to just two choices – instead of the current five – and all degree courses would start in October.

Ucas warns that significant reforms are needed because the current system is “complex, lacks transparency for many applicants and is inefficient and cumbersome for [universities]”.

It says that many students apply for university before they are ready and fail to make sensible back-up choices, leaving many without any places at all if they fall narrowly short of predicted grades.

A consultation document warns that almost half of predicted grades are wrong and more than a quarter of pupils receive at least one under-prediction – often forcing them to drop applications to top universities.

In a damning conclusion, Ucas also claims that the traditional clearing system, in which students without a place compete for spare courses in late August, is “inefficient, stressful and confusing for applicants”.

Currently, most students apply for university between October and January, seven to 10 months before results are published.

The National Union of Students welcomed the plans, saying evidence showed that applicants from poorer backgrounds were more likely to be failed by predicted grades.

But the proposals are likely to be opposed by many schools and colleges because it will cut the amount of teaching time available in their pupils’ final year. It could also lead to more mistakes during exam marking as the process has to be speeded up considerably.

Top universities also fear that it could cause chaos as admissions tutors are forced to consider tens of thousands of applications in just a few weeks instead of months.

Consultation into the plans opens today and is due to end in January.

David Willetts, the Universities Minister, said the Government would consider the proposals, adding: “Making the university application process simpler and more efficient would be good news for students.

“It is important that applicants understand how the system works and that any unnecessary burdens on institutions are removed.”