Students must be given freedom to choose

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 6th Mar 2006

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson, Peter Black has hit out at Universities who have said that they will only offer bursaries to students who select their institution as their first choice.

The bursaries, which can be worth several thousand pounds a year, are used by Universities to attract students from poorer backgrounds who have attained a high level of academic achievement. However some Universities will not offer scholarships to students who select them as their second 'insurance' choice.

"Students are not being given the freedom to choose the courses that they want", said Mr. Black. "Many of those who come from poorer backgrounds will not be able to study if it was not for the scholarships and bursaries they receive."

"The tuition fee structure and the general level of debt means that students are dependent on grants and bursaries. By penalising those who fail to select them as their top option; Colleges are restricting choice and leaving those who fail to meet the required grades of their first choice institution high and dry. They may get into another University but they will be denied the bursary that they need."