Leading article: More is best

The news that six higher education colleges are to become universities will annoy those who argue that more means worse.

The news that six higher education colleges are to become universities will annoy those who argue that more means worse. But it is only fair to give higher education colleges, all of which have the power to award taught degrees, the same status as universities. Charles Clarke, when he was Education Secretary, overturned previous policy that virtually forbade any more universities. Since 2001, we have had a new University of the Arts London, a new university in Bolton and a new university in Gloucestershire. More does not mean worse: it simply means a greater range of institutions. And it may enable those that can now call themselves universities to improve further.