BPP University College of Professional Studies, a London-based College, has been given Mr Willets approval to become a university college. Mr Willets says that private universities will help create a “dynamic and flexible” degree system which will help to develop innovative ways of delivering courses, such as online degrees.

The college has 14 regional branches offering law and business degrees with the intention to introduce health and teaching degrees, and a range of other courses within the next twelve months.

Private universities have become very successful in the United States and the UK wishes to mirror this success. The University of Phoenix is one of the biggest universities in the United States, of which BPP is part of the same group.

Mr Willets says “It is healthy to have a vibrant private sector working alongside our more traditional universities.”

The introduction of private universities is also seen to be beneficial in terms easing financial pressure and dealing with competition for places.

If successful, the BPP could be the first of many to offer additional courses without any funding from the higher education funding councils and will be entitled to charge tuition fees as they please.

Source: The BBC, 25/07/2010