The introduction of student tuition fees did more than introduce a new source of university funding, it heralded a transformation of the relationship between universities, government, students and the wider community. In 2004 the Government promised it would review the impact of the new arrangements, and last month announced terms for that review. Chaired by Lord Browne, this Independent Review of Funding and Student Finance will be wide-ranging and will run for a year.

About the debate
This debate, organised by Universities UK, was the first opportunity for stakeholders to come together to discuss the vital issues that will be raised by this review. Universities UK will be contributing to the review in several ways:

• first, by gathering information on how the fees money has been used;
• secondly, through making the case for investment in the higher education sector;
• and finally, it will be working with the Institute of Fiscal Studies to provide options for future funding. The outcome of the debate will help to inform this work.

Resources Available

• Videos from the debate
• Agenda from the day
• Speaker Biographies
• Media Release - Universities UK kicks off debate on future funding of higher education
• PowerPoint presentations