Alan, Bristol The government has got the wrong approach to higher education. University should be open to all with the intellectual capacity to benefit from it. If bright students are from poorer backgrounds, then fund them properly with no debt.

Dan, Cambridge I have worked on a telephone campaign for a Cambridge college, and it is obvious to see the decreased level of support that alumni will provide in the UK. More investment is needed from former students.

Zac, New York Perhaps Oxford and Cambridge should start charging the same tuition as the US institutions. At least in the UK parents don’t have to begin saving for a university education when their child is born, which frequently happens here in the US.

Sarah, London Of course the world standing of UK universities is in decline. This government’s shortsighted cuts have ensured that the next generation of brilliant academics are choosing to study abroad. Ludicrously low numbers of grants for PhD study are now available.

Cameron, Bridgetown, Barbados UK universities need to increase financial aid to international students. The high exchange rate of the pound makes studying in the UK far too expensive.

To post your views, e-mail debate@sunday-times.co.uk

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