The economics of education

There's no cheap way into the BBC, if you think a course at Salford University might prove a pathway to a job at MediaCityUK; the university is setting fees between £8k and £9k for its courses from 2012 (subject to Government approval). VC Professor Martin Hall says it's excellent value for money - and reckons 30% of students will be entitled to some form of bursary, scholarship or discount.

2012/3 students at Salford will have 218 fewer staff to support them; union officials blame this year's cuts (and 150 earlier job losses) on the cost of acquiring and equipping space at MediaCityUK.

Still, if you're borrowing the fees, why not borrow for your lodging as well ?   This grim new block is proposed at Adelphi Road, Salford, by the Manor Property Group of Hull, and will have space for 1,091 students. (Picture from Place North West)