ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ

Your article on support for students draws attention to Lancaster University's scholarship scheme, which rewards matriculating students using criteria related to academic merit.

What the article fails to say is that the same hypothetical student could also receive a means-tested bursary of either ?500 or ?1,315, depending on household income. Many universities draw a distinction between bursaries and scholarships, and use very different criteria to allocate these resources. The purpose of the various types of funding mechanism is to support fair access and academic excellence. Both form part of the mission of modern research-led universities.

Paul Wellings, Vice-chancellor, Lancaster University.