fair enough.

I just don't buy that it's institutionalised discrimination because:
1. the less affluent are far less likely to go to university in the UK, even if it is heavily subsidised.
2. the govt. have stuck their nose into this alot under Labour and I couldn't imagine any college wanting to be surrounded by the resulting sort of BS controversy.

the article doesn't provide proof and I'm quite willing to admit that I'm speculating.