FINANCE officers should know by next summer how far the cost of teaching diplomas and degrees differs between further education colleges and higher education institutions.
The Higher Education Funding Council for England study starts next month and should finish by next May.
Many new universities are already worried about Sir Ron Dearing's recommendation that extra places on sub-degree programmes, such as Higher National Diplomas, should go to colleges.
Most diploma and degree-level higher education is funded by HEFCE at a lower rate in further education colleges, for historical reasons and because the money does not usually cover infrastructure costs.