University of Cambridge dons and senior Fellows appear divided over the issue of raising tuition fees, an informal Varsity survey has revealed.

Varsity asked Senior Tutors, College Bursars, and University Heads of Department for their opinions on whether the cap on tuition fees should be lifted. Most Fellows requested to remain anonymous, citing the fact that their opinions did not reflect those of their College or of the University.

The responses showed that there is a lack of consensus among Fellows on whether the cap on tuition fees should be lifted. One Senior Bursar said: "I totally oppose the lift of the cap on tuition fees, though the University will be forced into a very difficult situation by the impacts of the Browne report and the Comprehensive Spending Review."

On the other hand, a Head of Department said, "My straightforward reply is that I support the raising of the fee cap to £9,000, because I understand that Cambridge will not be able to continue to subsidise undergraduate education from its own resources in the face of diminished investment in it by the Government."

However, many Fellows who supported raising the cap pointed out that they did so reluctantly due to a lack of viable funding options. As one Senior Tutor explained, "I am very unhappy with the rise in tuition fees. However, as yet I do not see a viable alternative in this time of national financial crisis."

A College Bursar summarised the feeling by saying, "If the choice is between inadequate funding for universities and increased levels of student fees, then I would reluctantly accept the increased fees."

A major concern that emerged from many of the comments was the speed with which drastic changes to the higher education system were being "pushed through".

According to a Senior Bursar, "The [Browne] report views education as part of the consumer culture, subject to all the vagaries of supply and demand, with the demand all coming from the employment prospects attached to acquiring a particular degree. This is a fundamental change in the way in which this country views education, and I think there needs to be much more debate and understanding before we move in this direction."

Another bursar said, "I am personally very uncomfortable that changes of such major social significance are being pushed through so quickly."

The University is waiting to get further information before releasing an official position. However, speaking to Varsity, a spokesperson said, "Given the cuts to tuition funding announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review and the existing under-funding of undergraduate education, the University welcomes the potential flexibility offered by the Government’s decision to increase the maximum annual tuition fee to £9,000.

"We remain committed to the principle that no suitably qualified student should be deterred from applying to Cambridge on financial grounds, and to the provision of bursaries to students from less-advantaged backgrounds."

However, a Head of Department questioned whether the University would be able to ensure sufficient provision of bursaries. "I remain sceptical that even a University with the resources of Cambridge will be able to create a bursary scheme capable of ensuring needs-blind admission," he said.