Private schools to dominate new £18,000-a-year university But Prof Grayling rejected concerns that the university will be mainly for rich students from private schools. Speaking at a press conference in central London, he said: "Anything that's high quality, very demanding, can be described as elite. I personally don't have any difficulty with the word elite. You would like your surgeon or airline pilot taught at an elite institution. Elite doesn't mean exclusive. The college, which will open in September, will become only the second fully private university to be established in Britain after Buckingham. Students will be able to take degrees - accredited by the University of London - in law, economics, English, history and philosophy. Jane Phelps, NCH's director of external relations, said the institution had faced problems making contact with state school students. "We're very, very keen to talk to state schools, it's been extraordinarily difficult to get in, to find the right people to talk to and get an invitation to go," she said. Prof Grayling said that of the offers made, seven students have been awarded scholarships, which means they will not pay fees, while 37 have been granted "exhibitions" and will pay reduced fees of £7,200 a year. Remaining students will be expected to may maximum fees of £18,000-a-year. It is understood that the college's students are not eligible for Government loans to help with fee costs. Prof Grayling defended the price tag. Top US universities charge around 50,000 dollars (£31,000) per year for four years, he said, and some UK independent schools charge around £30,000 a year for five years. He said that the college's fees were "a fair reflection of what it costs to provide a very high quality, intensive education to students." As the university grows, it hopes to attract more funding and alumni support which they can use to support poorer students, he added.