A LECTURER has launched his own `mini college' in protest over a price hike at Manchester university.

Dr Bill Jones has taught current affairs for members of the public for more than 20 years.

But he has now set up a private study group following an increase in fees which he says many of his students cannot afford.

As well as teaching degree courses to full-time students, the university offers introductory courses to the public in subjects such as languages and local history.

But a number of people on the courses have complained over rising fees and the scrapping of discounts for people on low incomes. Dr Jones said many of the people on the courses were retired and could this afford this financial `double whammy'.

Last year fees for 10-session courses at the university's Centre for Continuing Education rose from around £70 to £130. This year the costs have risen even higher, with a six-session course costing £94.

'Prohibitively high'

In protest, Dr Jones and fellow lecturer Alan Sennett are running their own cut-price courses in politics and current affairs.

Dr Jones said: "Basically the university decided last year to withdraw any financial support for the courses for the public and to allow them to be priced on a `real cost' basis.

"By organising outside the university we have been able to halve that level of fee, thus enabling our mainly elderly audience to save the difference. Their 20-week course costs £70 and are double the duration of the university's 10-week courses. They expect an initial 60 learners to sign up for the classes, which will begin at the Friend's Meeting House in the city centre in October.

In their letter to prospective students, they said: "As you will know, the fees at the university became so prohibitively high that we decided to run them `privately' in a city centre location."

A university spokesman said: "Until September 2007 anyone on incapacity benefit and all others aged 55 or over receiving a pension were entitled to a subsidised fee for a course at the Courses for the Public.

"Now, anyone of any age can apply for a bursary which will entitle them to up to a 60 per cent reduction - providing their household annual income is £17,910 or below."

ANYONE who wants to sign up for the new courses should email: info@politicaleducationforum.com.

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