Revolution in higher education: Celebrity academics set up Oxford challenger

Sunday, 5 June 2011 1:00 PM

By Ian Dunt

An entirely private alternative to Oxford run by some of the best-known academics in the country will start taking pupils next year.

The New College of the Humanities (NCH) was established by AC Grayling, a celebrated humanist and philosopher.

It will also feature lectures from atheist Richard Dawkins and right-wing historian Niall Ferguson.

The college plans to charge £18,000 a year - the same for both UK and foreign students.

There will be assisted places for 20% of the first year's intake, a mixture of 100% means-tested scholarships and exhibition places at £7,200 per year.

Eyebrows were raised at the broader approach to teaching in the institution, which will prepare students for University of London degrees in law, economics and humanities subjects including history, philosophy and English literature.

In addition to their specific course, students will have to take three intellectual skills modules in science literacy, logic and critical thinking, and applied ethics.

There will also be mandatory practical professional skills classes, including financial literacy, teamwork, presentation and strategy.

"Our students will be challenged to develop as skilled, informed and reflective thinkers, and will receive an education to match that aspiration," Mr Grayling said.

"Society needs us to be thoughtful voters, good neighbours, loving parents and responsible citizens. If we are to discover and inspire the next generation of lawyers, journalists, financiers, politicians, civil servants, writers, artists and teachers, we need to educate to the highest standards and with imagination, breadth and depth."

By the end of the course, students will be given a diploma from the university along with their standard degree qualification.

The university will offer an impressive level of staffing, including one-to-one tutorials, about 12 hours of contact a week and a teacher/student ratio of less than ten to one.

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