I was very impressed by Emma Grech’s letter (August 10) in which she gave due credit to Loughborough College and the Ministry of Education.

Her letter also highlights two other aspects of UK higher education: standards and institutional identity. Many small reputable colleges and schools in the UK have been seduced by the lure of the university image and have been absorbed by fairly recently created ‘universities.’

These often provide an ivory turret, rather than an ivory tower. In the case of Loughborough, however, although its degrees are awarded by Loughborough University, it has retained its own identity.

Founded in 1909 as a teacher training college, it specialised in school sports.

More recently, it responded to the demand for training in other aspects of sports provision and now produces Olympic-standard athletes, coaches and managers, as well as teachers, and it can afford to reject two thirds of applicants.

However, there are now over 120 universities in the UK and it is a grave mistake to believe they are all of a comparable standard to Loughborough.

Looking at the list of UK institutions at which the ministry recently funded students, it can be seen that a significant number of scholarship holders have gone to such minor universities.

To survive, these often have to accept almost anyone who applies, with inevitable consequences for degree standards.

The ministry has rigorous procedures for awarding scholarships, which ensure that recipients meet a very high standard.

However, the ministry should also take a close look at the destined institution to ensure that, like Loughborough, it has high admission standards and was chosen because it is the best for the subject, rather than for its reputation as ‘party school’ or for giving the student an easy ride.