Bosses at the University of Bradford met Higher Education minister Alan Johnson to state their opposition to the idea of universities setting their own 'top-up' fees for students. The Government is proposing to allow universities to charge up to £3,000 per year for study.

Its controversial plan would create a market in higher education which could lead to a two-tier system of 'elite' and 'second class' universities, critics fear. They are worried students from less-advantaged backgrounds would be put off the more costly prestige courses, which could become dominated by those from moneyed backgrounds.

Vice-chancellor Chris Taylor, leader of the University of Bradford, says he agrees students should be asked to pay more, but thinks the fees should be the same for every university and course.

"Differential fees by course and university would be iniquitous in their implementation," he said. "They would skew choice between courses, as well as universities. Not only would they disadvantage poorer students, but they would lead to the creation of a tiered university system, and further uncalled for competition."

The Government says its proposals would benefit students by removing 'upfront' payments, currently £1,125 per year.

Students and their parents would no longer have to pay anything during their study, but young people would become liable for the new higher fees once they'd graduated and started earning at least £15,000 per year.

In addition, student grants of £1,000 per year for the worst off would be re-introduced, and more bursaries brought in - free places for poor students.

Mr Johnson said he had listened to the case made by management at the University of Bradford, adding that he was impressed with their work to attract more students from non-traditional backgrounds.

"I am tremendously impressed with what's happening at Bradford University," he said. "They've done some really good things, particularly in medicine which has a terrible social class mix."

He said the idea of a 'fixed fee' as favoured by the University of Bradford meant some students would end up paying more, as under the Government's scheme, courses could be priced at anything from nothing to £3,000 per year.

Young people who secured jobs on the average graduate starting salary of £18,000 would pay back their fees at a rate of £5.19 per week compared to the £13.85 per week they pay now, to repay student loans.

"I think the biggest danger is well-meaning people frightening the life out of youngsters by pulling figures out of the air," Mr Johnson said. "I saw one figure for student debt quoted of £33,000 which is absolutely ludicrous. In fact the National Union of Students authoritative survey shows the average debt is £8,666.